Photo credit: Paul Van Hoof
This monitoring survey is funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
What is the Waterways Survey?
Bat Conservation Ireland piloted the Daubenton’s Bat Waterway Survey based on the Bat Conservation Trust (UK) methodology in 2005. The survey has been continued annually in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland since 2006. The aim is to assess levels of activity of Daubenton’s bat. Trend information from 2006-2019 indicates that species is currently stable.
To-date hundreds of volunteer teams have participated in this survey across the island surveying their local river, canal and channels. Over 600 waterway sites have been surveyed since 2006 and the map below shows the location of all of these 1km waterway sites.
Can I help monitor Daubenton’s bat?
Yes! Daubenton’s bats fly close to water and are easy to identify. With a little training, you can identify and count Daubenton’s bats over a waterway near you. Daubenton’s bat is easy to see because it flies typically within 30cm of the water surface, often picking up insects from the water. It usually flies back and forth along a regular flight path. If you are willing to spend a couple of summer evenings in the month of August walking along a river or canal while participating in important wildlife conservation work then this project is ideal for you!
Do I need experience to be involved?
No! Identifying bats on field surveys with tuneable bat detectors does requires some training. Therefore, Bat Conservation Ireland will provide you with free training prior to the survey. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be undertaking any field-based training this summer. Instead we will provide online training facilities that you can avail of in the form of views, presentations and Zoom sessions with the scheme co-rodinator. You can also look at the online training facilities post-training course to update your skills. But this survey is simple and easy to follow. So why not give it a go.
Do I need any equipment?
You will be supplied with maps and recording sheets (either by post or email). Each volunteer uses his/her own torch and bat detector. There will, however, be a number of bat detectors available for volunteers who don’t have one. We recommend that you bring a mobile phone with you on the survey.
What is the survey method?
You will be assigned a 1km stretch of waterway that is within 10km of the your home address or your preferred survey area. We highly recommend that you visit this stretch during the day (with the landowner’s permission if it is on private land) to assess the site for safety. Please undertake a Risk Assessment (form will be sent by email) prior to completing the night-time survey. On two evenings in August you will survey this stretch of waterway (with a survey partner), using a torch and a bat detector. All you need to do is count Daubenton’s bat activity using the bat detector and torchlight at ten points (4 minutes per survey spot) along the 1km stretch. Volunteers will then fill out Survey Results Sheets and return them, along with a map of their 1km transect, to BCIreland for processing. You will receive a report on how your participation contributed to this All Ireland Monitoring Programme.
Photo credit: Tina Aughney
Does it take long?
No! The survey takes approximately 60 to 80 minutes, although you will have to visit the site in advance to make sure it is suitable for the survey. A Daytime visit is really important to familiarise yourself with the transect.
What if my 1km stretch is not suitable?
If you cannot get access, if there is too much vegetation or if the site is unsafe you can contact us for a different site. We strongly recommend that you check out the stretch of water well in advance of the survey so that you can go to another site if necessary. We are available at all times to give advice on how to gain access and we will provide you with a letter of introduction that you can give to any landowner that details the survey and insurance cover.
Can I survey a site near me?
There are >600 waterway sites currently registered. Please contact davidc@batconservationireland.org for a list of FREE waterway sites to view and determine if there is one close to you. As we have >600 waterway sites registered we are not setting up any new ones and would like volunteers to choose from the existing waterway sites.
Online Training
Within this section there will be links to different training facilities that we will help to prepare you for your survey. Please follow through the different preparation steps listed below:
- Read the Training Presentation and watch the training video. If this sounds like something you like to get involved in, follow the remaining steps listed below.
- Check out the list of water way sites (list is above in the section “Can I survey a site near me?”). Book a site or email info@batconservationireland.org for a new one near you.
- Visit your chosen site in the daytime and map your walking transect. Please download the DayTimeSurveyForm. Here is a RiskAssessmentSheet_Waterways to use during your daytime visit.
- Visit on two evenings in the month of August and strictly follow the survey protocol. For more details please read the Instruction Manual. Check the sunset time for your location here by clicking the one of the following locations: Leinster, Ulster, Connaght or Munster. Please download the NightTimeSurveyForm.
- Return your survey results to BCIreland for processing. Post (please use the postal address listed at the end of the survey form – this is different to the official BCIreland postal address) or email, whichever is most suitable.
- If you have borrowed a bat detector, please return by post to the same postal address on the night time survey form.
How do I volunteer?
Email or your can contact us using the form below (if you are booking a waterways survey site, please provide details):