The Cambridgeshire Bat Group is a partner group of the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT). We carry out batty research and conservation, and educate members of the public about how amazing bats are through public talks and events. New members are always welcome to join us, and active involvement and participation with the group is always encouraged! If you are interested in becoming a member and supporting the work we do, then please contact us. Or check out our Facebook Page.

We also work in close partnership with the Bedfordshire Bat Group; a number of members from both groups are active members of the other, and we regularly collaborate to help each other with research projects, surveys and events, and to eat cake.

 

Found a Bat?

Once you have contained the bat (see below) you can call the following numbers that belong to local bat carers, showing the areas they normally cover. Please try the number closest to you first. Generally, we will ask that you bring the contained bat to us, but if this is not possible, still contact us as we might be able to arrange for it to be collected. If you are outside the areas indicated below we may still be able to help but will likely ask you to bring the bat to us. In certain areas, i.e. North Peterborough and along the Northamptonshire border, it is best to phone the National Helpline (see below) as there may be closer carers.

All carers are volunteers and not available all the time, so you may not get an answer, in which case please phone the National Helpline.

Please Note: The carers are able to help with advice, care and rehabilitation of grounded or injured bats. If your enquiry is regarding planning, home maintenance or other general questions in relation to a known, or suspected roost, then please call the Helpline or email the general enquiries address as detailed below.

 

The Bat Conservation Trust National Helpline

This is a volunteer service where you can ask for advice about bats, bat care, and roosts. And if you happen to find a grounded bat, they will give you details of your closest registered volunteer carer.

The Helpline number is 0345 1300 228 and is open Monday-Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm during October to April. During May to September the line is also open out-of-hours, in evenings and on weekends, but this line is for emergency use only i.e. if you find a bat. For general enquiries please email enquiries@bats.org.uk.

*If you find a bat during the day then it will likely need help. If it is on the ground, on a wall, or in one of your rooms, contain it within a box and call either one of the numbers listed above or the Helpline number above. Avoid handling bats where possible, but if you need to then wear gloves as there is a (very) small risk of a type of rabies.

You will need:

• A shoe box, with holes punched in the lid (or container of equivalent size)
• A cloth or tea towel
• A plastic bottle cap (milk bottle tops are perfect)

1. 1. Contain the bat either like you would a spider, by placing a box on top of it and sliding a piece of card underneath, or alternatively, cover the bat with a cloth/tea towel and carefully scoop it up and place it in the box. (You should not handle the bat with bare hands.)
   2. Put a tea towel or soft cloth in the box for the bat to hide in.
   3. Put in a small, shallow container e.g. a plastic milk bottle top with a few drops of water (not enough for the bat to drown in). Make sure the water is topped up regularly.
   4. Keep the bat indoors somewhere quiet and dark and away from any pets
   5. Most importantly, call the Bat Helpline on 0345 1300 228 for further advice.

Only a bat that has been confirmed as fit and healthy by a bat rehabilitator should be released, and never during the day.