They all went Batty

It was bats galore on Friday (23 August 2013) at The Link Thamesmead with a sunset bat hunt; part of Trust Thamesmead's Boredom Busters school holiday activity programme.

The event was led by Karen Sutton, Thames Water's Crossness Nature Reserve Manager, who said, “It was a great evening. The young people attending were fully engaged, they loved the bat fact quiz which we held at The Link Thamesmead and asked lots of fascinating questions.

“It was topped off with a very productive bat hunt. Over Southmere Lake there were countless Common Pipistrelle bats, Soprano Pipistrelles and Daubenton's bats. We even heard a Noctule bat on the bat detector through the open window of The Link: that was a great surprise and certainly got everybody fired up before the walk.

“Once we went out, the bats put on a fabulous display, flying directly in front of us, giving us great views of these amazing little creatures.”

Jamie Tilbrook (8) said: “I loved it. I've never seen so many bats, they were flying right over our heads and we could hear them echolocating on the bat detectors.”

Tabitha Sanders (10) agreed: “The bat hunt was the best thing I have done over the course of the summer holidays. Personally I thought it was amazing and not a bit spooky. I learnt that the poor bats are endangered in some parts of England so we have to keep them safe. This was the BEST walk I have EVER done!!! Thank you Trust Thamesmead for putting this on!!"

Trust spokeswoman Elaine Johnson said: “This was the first time we've scheduled a bat hunt as part of our holiday activity programme and it has proved a great success. We always include popular sporting activities such as football, netball and tennis but this was something completely different and given the positive feedback we've received we hope to be able to offer it again.”