Talking Bat

Talking Bat with John Haddow (Auritus Wildlife Consultancy)

John Haddow (Auritus Bat Consultancy) is a highly respected bat-worker (& so much more) based in Scotland, & a previous winner of the BCTs Pete Guest Award. His interest in bats started before bats were collectively protected within the UK, & before BCT even existed. During this interview he gives an excellent historical insight into bat conservation since the 1970s. We also talk at length about the Scottish Leisler's Bat Project & his regular trips to Poland visiting Nietoperek, one of the largest hibernation sites in Europe.

Scottish Bats Journals Archive

Bat Conservation Trust (BCT)

Talking Bat with Marc Van De Sijpe (Freelance Bat Researcher - Belgium)

Marc Van De Sijpe is an internationally respected bat researcher based in Belgium, especially known for his work on the European 'trawling' bat species - Daubenton's bat, Pond bat & Long-fingered bat. Here we chat to him about his back-story, early years doing bat work in Belgium, as well as looking in more detail at his research & contributions to our knowledge & understanding of European bat species.

Learn more about Marc's research here on ResearchGate

Check out Marc's YouTube channel here

Talking Bat with M. Brock Fenton (Western University, Canada)

Brock Fenton (Emeritus Professor - University of Western Ontario, Canada) has been studying bats in some shape or form since the early 1960s. He is hugely respected internationally for his academic work, his contributions to bat conservation, as well as which he has authored/co-authored numerous books. During this interview we explore his background, as well as getting into some detail regarding bat evolution. The interview was timed to coincide with the release of the book 'A Miscellany of Bats' which he co-authored with his good friend Jens Rydell.

Ear Anatomy Traces a Family Tree for Bats - M. Brock Fenton
Nature 602, 387-388 (2022) 

Bat Conservation International website here

Talking Bat with Dr Mirjam Knornschild (Museum of Natural History Berlin)

Dr Mirjam Knornschild is the Head of Behavioural Ecology & Bioacoustics Lab for the Museum of Natural History in Berlin. She is internationally recognised & highly respected for, amongst other things, her research into bat acoustics, in particular species occurring in Costa Rica, Panama & southern Africa. During this interview we explore her back-story, as well as talk about some of her academic work. We also dip into other aspects of bat-related studies & challenges when it comes to studying these fascinating mammals in the field.

Find out more via Mirjam's research website here

Visit Deutsche Fledermauswarte (German Bat Observatory) website here

Talking Bat with Alexandra Howard (Afromontane Researcher, University of the Free State)

Alexandra Howard is a PhD candidate carrying out research on bats in southern Africa. Here we explore her life journey so far, as well as her research interests, along with dipping into other aspects of life & the challenges of being a bat researcher in Africa.
 
Follow Alexandra on X (twitter): @blondezoologist

 

Talking Club (February 2024) with Aileen Hendry

Every month Aileen Hendry (BatAbility Courses & Tuition) is joined by Neil Middleton to deliver a 'light-hearted' monthly update for our BatAbility Club members. We are sharing it here for the benefit of anyone who wishes to find out more about what we are up to.

If you are not a Club member, but would like to know more about how to join up, please go to the following link: batability.co.uk/batability-club/

Talking Bat with Professor Peter J Taylor (University of the Free State)

Peter Taylor's research focuses on bats & other small mammals in natural & agricultural landscapes in southern Africa. He has contributed significantly to science & conservation, & during this interview we explore his life journey, along with many of his thoughts about the research he has been involved with & the books he has authored/co-authored.

Bats of Southern & Central Africa - find out more here 

The Bat Interest Group of KwaZulu-Natal (formerly the Durban Bat Interest Group) - find out more here

Talking Bat with Dr Ian Davidson-Watts (Davidson-Watts Ecology Ltd)

Originally from the UK, & now living in New Zealand, Ian Davidson-Watts is highly respected internationally as a bat researcher & consultant. His career to date has had many twists & turns, across a number of roles & countries, as you will hear about during this fascinating insight into his life. 

Find out more about Davidson-Watts Ecology here

Find out more about GoFundMe 'Save the Isle Of Wight Bat Hospital' here