Explore every episode of the podcast Talking Bat

Adria Lopez-Baucells is a bat researcher & conservationist at the Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers. He carried out his PhD (University of Lisbon, 2018) on the Effects of Amazonian rainforest fragmentation on tropical bats using autonomous ultrasound detectors, which also resulted in the publication of his first book: 'Field Guide To The Bats of the Amazon' Ardia Lopez-Baucells website Bat Monitoring Programme website

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/

Dr Paul Donald is a senior conservation scientist (Birdlife International) with >30 yrs experience conceiving, planning, funding & managing high-impact projects on a wide range of issues, & has published research in many of the world’s leading scientific journals. During this interview we take a look at some of Paul's previous work, his passion for larks, & then move on to discussing his latest book 'Traffication - How Cars Destroy Nature & What We Can Do About It'.

Traffication - How Cars Destroy Nature & What We Can Do About It

Birdlife International - Donate Here

Ornithological Society Of The Middle East The Caucasus and Central Asia - Join Here

Facing Extinction - The World's Rarest Birds and the Race to Save Them

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/

Delighted to be chatting with Dr Orly Razgour (University of Exeter), who is an Associate Professor in Global Change Ecology, as well as Director of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. Describing herself as a molecular ecologist & conservation biologist, Orly's research is applied in nature, aiming to provide the evidence base for managing our environment.

Dr Orly Razgour on ResearchGate

Bat Conservation Trust

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/

Dr Jonny Hanson @jonnyhhanson is a Research Fellow at Queen's University (Belfast), an award-winning social entrepreneur, & the author of the recently published 'Living With Lynx - Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves & Bears'. During our conversation we look at various perspectives around the subject matter of the book, as well as other associated topics.

'Living With Lynx' book here

Dr Jonny Hanson website here

Snow Leopard Conservancy

Snow Leopard Trail documentary teaser here

Know Better, Do Better! Kate Myers is the founder of Speaking Of Animals Outreach. Describing herself as a visual storyteller, film producer & author, Kate has worked for animal welfare her entire adult life having previously held numerous positions including being Executive Director of Washington State Humane Association.  Speaking of Animals Outreach website Speaking of Animals Outreach Facebook Speaking of Animals Outreach Instagram Email Contact: kate@speakingofanimalsoutreach.org

Kit Stoner is the Chief Executive of the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) based in the UK, as well as Vice Chair of Environmental Investigations Agency, & a trustee of BatLife Europe. During this interview we touch upon all aspects of her working life journey, which started of in publishing, advertising & training, before moving into bat conservation, a decision which would eventually take her to becoming Chief Executive of BCT. Of course, like many of our interviews, we also explore aspects of Kit's non-working life. 

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/

Martin Bailey is the owner of Wildlife & Countryside Services, based near Rhyl (North Wales). He is an experienced ecologist & biodiversity consultant, specialising in mammals, wildlife habitat creation/restoration & environmental education. He describes himself as 'living in a wood, trying to be sustainable, ethical & helping people'. During this chat we look at his life journey to date, as well as his regular journeys to Poland, where he takes clients to see what biodiversity in the UK should look like. Wildlife & Countryside Services website Visit Poland with Martin Bailey Wild Justice website

\o/ Happy New Year 2025 \o/ 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/

Ed Drewitt is a professional naturalist, wildlife detective, trainer, broadcaster & author. Dedicated to sharing the wonders of the natural world & committed to inspiring the next generation of nature enthusiasts, empowering individuals to connect with the environment.

Ed has written three books, all of which we discuss during the interview, including his latest one, Bird Pellets - A Complete Photographic Guide. We also take a deep dive into his passion for Peregrine falcons, a subject he has been studying for over 20 years.

Ed Drewitt website

Glouscestershire Wildlife Trust

A fascinating insight into the life of Dr. Rodrigo A. Medellin (Senior Professor of Ecology & Conservation, Institute of Ecology - National Autonomous University of Mexico). Rodrigo's credentials are numerous & at the highest level, with multiple key positions held, publications produced & awards to his name. 

Find out more about Dr. Rodrigo A. Medellin here

ResearchGate - Dr. Rodrigo A. Medellin

The Bat Man of Mexico - find out more here

Whitley Fund For Nature - Mexico's Bat Man

Bat Conservation Trust (UK)

\o/ Christmas Special \o/  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/

Dr. Rohit Chakravarty works for the Nature Conservation Foundation (India) as a Project Manager (High Altitudes) where as a bat researcher he is carries out studies in different landscapes, predominantly the Himalayas of Uttarakhand & the Andaman Islands. A delightful conversation exploring his life story so far & his other interests, especially birds. Follow Rohit on Twitter(X): @paintedbat 

Find out more about Rohit's research here on ResearchGate

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/

October 2024 catch up :-)

^o^ Something just for our podcast audience.

Sometimes light-hearted, occasionally a little more serious! Here are some random thoughts from your Talking Bat host, Neil Middleton :-) Email address for feedback: neil.middleton@batability.co.uk

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/

During the Bat Conservation Trust's National Bat Conference (Reading, Sept 2024) we had the pleasure of catching up with many old friends, & meeting some new ones. Here we have created a podcast which includes some of the many people we engaged with. Massive thanks to all, including the following podcast participants - in order of appearance, as follows: Andrew Dobson/Lauren Dobson (Titley Scientific) David Koller (Elekon AG - Switzerland) Nigel Massen (Pelagic Publishing) Naomi Webster/Andreia Correia da Costa (Bat Conservation Trust) Ryan Smith/Katie Smith (Smith Robotics) Martin Bailey (Wildlife & Countryside Services / Poland Trips) Mark Fisher/Laura Gage (NHBS Ltd) Jethro Block/Andrew Milner (Thermal Vision Ecology) Paul Howden-Leach (Wildlife Acoustics)

Delighted here to be chatting with Marc Holderied (Professor of Sensory Ecology, University of Bristol) who is a sensory ecologist & bioacoustician, with strong links to bio-inspired engineering. His research expertise lies in the emerging fields of acoustic camouflage & biosonar navigation, with a passion for acoustic arms races & wildlife acoustics.

Read about Marc Holderied's research here on ResearchGate

Attacus Acoustics

Hodgkin House

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/

Email address for Aileen Hendry - aileen.hendry@batability.co.uk 

Delighted to have Danilo Russo here on Talking Bat. Danilo is a Professor of Ecology based at University of Naples Federico II, as well as an Honorary Professor of Ecology at University of Bristol. He describes himself as an ecologist, ethologist & conservation biologist, & he is also a former Chair of EUROBATS advisory committee.

Danilo Russo ResearchGate

Animal Ecology & Evolution Facebook page

Charitable donation went to Wildlife Alliance

Laurie Campbell is an award winning natural history & landscape photographer. During this interview we cover his background, as well as many fascinating stories about his adventures & experiences.

Laurie Campbell Natural History Photographer

Otters - Ripples On The River book

Trees For Life 

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/

Anne Youngman was the Bat Conservation Trust's (BCT) first Scottish Bat Officer from 2003 to 2017, & is very well known & respected within the bat community, not only in the UK, but also much further afield. This is her 4th time on Talking Bat, & on this occasion we look back on her most recent challenge (a 100km ultra-marathon). A quick reminder as to why she was doing it. It's all for charity \o/ in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support & HospiceCare North Northumberland, two amazing organisations which helped her & her family at a time when they didn't know where to turn.

Take a listen & find out how she got on, as well as what's next for the 'Creaky Old Bat'. Just Giving Page Anne’s 100k ultra marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support & HospiceCare North Northumberland

Delighted to be Talking Bat with Kelly Sheldrick (Citizen Science Program Manager - Conservation Council of Western Australia) ahead of her fundraising Christmas Island Marathon in honour of the 100 species that have gone extinct in Australia, including the Christmas Island Pipistrelle. All in all, this will help to raise awareness of biodiversity loss & the failure of policy to respond to a rapidly changing environment.

A Bat's End: The Christmas Island Pipistrelle and Extinction in Australia by John Woinarski

Remembering the Christmas Island Pipistrelle Wildlife Fundraiser - donate here

During this interview we talk with Mark Avery whose previous roles include 13 years as Conservation Director at RSPB, as well as a former chair of World Land Trust. Described these days as a blogger, writer, author & wildlife campaigner, Mark has been involved with many important discussions at the highest level relating to the conservation challenges faced in our part of the world, including books on the subject, as well as the activities of Wild Justice, an organisation he co-founded. Inglorious: Conflict in the Uplands

Mark Avery books published by Pelagic Publishing

Reflections - What Wildlife Needs and How to Provide it

James Shipman is a BCT Pete Guest Award winner (2016) & highly respected within the bat community for his contributions towards bat conservation & training. Here we are delighted to be chatting with him about his career progression to date, as well as the forthcoming book (due out early 2025) entitled: Identifying Bats of Britain and Ireland - A Field Worker’s Guide Gib-bats (The Gibraltar Bats Project)

Born in Ireland & based in Sweden Alan Dalton (@Blogbirder) is a life long birder who is highly respected for his artwork & acoustic recordings of birdlife. He has his own podcast show entitled 'Wild Bird Acoustics' which takes listeners through various sound inspired journeys, as well as opportunities to learn more about bird sound & behaviour.

Alan Dalton - Blogbirder.blogspot.com

Cape Clear Island Bird Observatory

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/

Anne Youngman was the Bat Conservation Trust's (BCT) first Scottish Bat Officer from 2003 to 2017, & is very well known & respected within the bat community, not only in the UK, but also much further afield. This is her third time on Talking Bat, & on this occasion we focus on her next challenge, this time to run a 100 km ultra-marathon on 20.07.24, a challenge that could take almost 19 hours to complete. Why? It's all for charity \o/ in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support & HospiceCare North Northumberland, two amazing organisations which helped her & her family at a time when they didn't know where to turn. Run Anne Run - Give Folks Give! Just Giving Page Anne’s 100k ultra marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support & HospiceCare North Northumberland

Steve Roe (Vice Chair of BCT & Pete Guest Award winner 2023) is the producer & presenter of BCT's award winning BatChat podcast. He gets many opportunities to interview people about bat work in the UK. This time we get the opportunity to turn the mic & interview him \o/. Find out lots about his back story (he started his 'bat life' early!) & achievements to date, as well as some thoughts on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ professionals within the ecology sector.

Bat Conservation Trust (BCT)

CIEEM Article - Supporting LGBTQ+ Professionals

Here we talk with the delightful, highly respected & knowledgeable botanist, Joshua Styles of Styles Ecology Ltd & British Botany, covering some of his back-story, his career progression to date, as well as the expertise & services he has to offer the ecological sector. North-West Rare Plant Initiative The Wildlife Trust for Manchester, Lancashire & North Merseyside

A Cork-born ornithologist, Sean Ronayne returned home to Ireland after living in Barcelona for 3 years. He is a highly respected wildlife sound recorderist (Sound Of The Year awards winner 2020), & is almost at the end of a journey to record all of the birds present in Ireland, a journey that has taken him to the highest level of appreciation for all of his hard work & resilience. Want to know more? Listen to the interview :-)

Irish Wildlife Sounds

The Tommy Tiernan Show with guest Sean Ronayne

Follow Sean Ronayne on Twitter: @SoundsIrish  

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/

Fiona Mathews is highly respected internationally for her academic work on mammals (including bats) & other subjects. She is the founding chair of Mammal Conservation Europe, a former chair of the Mammal Society, a trustee of the Kasanka Trust (UK), the co-founder & director of Ecotype Genetics Ltd, & also serves on the Eurobats Scientific Advisory Committee. Add to all that, her recent book Black Ops and Beaver Bombing: Adventures with Britain's Wild Mammals (April 2023) - my word, we certainly had lots to chat about.

Fiona Mathews ResearchGate

Many have listened to him on Birder's Twitter, so we felt we should get him on here for an interview & find out more about Jonny Rankin who is well known & highly respected within birding circles. And we certainly ticked all the boxes as we explored Jonny's backstory, his extreme fundraising activities (Dove Step & Tern The Tide), as well as more background about Birder's Twitter, & the Birder's Space website & podcast.

Follow Jonny on Twitter: @step_dove

The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project

If you deal with Titley Scientific in Europe then the chances are you have had the pleasure of meeting (or at least communicating with) their UK/Europe Sales Support Manager, Andrew Dobson. We felt it would be great to let you find out so much more about the person behind the products & services they distribute in Europe, & this interview certainly gets well into Andrew's background prior to & after the relaunch of Titley Scientific in 2013.

Follow Titley Scientific on Twitter

Dr Hannah Mueller recently set up her own environmental/ecological consultancy in New Zealand (Phoenix Ecology Ltd). She is an ecologist with expertise in a wide range of ecological matters, with a key focus on finding management solutions to environmental challenges that work with nature’s principles & restore ecosystems using a landscape-scale approach. During this interview we talk about her experiences setting up & running the business, as well as going into a little bit of detail regarding bat consultancy work in New Zealand.

Find out more about Hannah's research here

Visit the Bat Research Organisation here

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/

Dean Waters is highly respected within the world of bats & academia for his research, separate to which he describes himself as an Ecology, Acoustics & Imaging Consultant, as well as a mediocre photographer.

During this interview we explore his back story, as well as discussing some of his research interests, which include bat biology, conservation, bioacoustics & biomimetics (using biology as inspiration for engineering).

Find out more about Dean's research here

Find out more about the UltraCane here

Miranda Collett spends her time between Jersey & Argentina. She certainly has an interesting life story, & during this interview we learn all about her professional career, which lead up to the purchase of some land in Corrientes (Argentina) & the creation of a 4,000 acre conservation area dedicated to preserving endangered species & defending the habitats that are essential for their survival.

Visit The Collett Trust for Endangered Species here

She's back for a second time on Talking Bat. This time we speak to the award winning Anne Youngman (former BCT Scottish Officer) about her first ultra-marathon experience (before & after), all in support of Bats Without Borders. Did she make? You will have to listen to find out :-). We certainly had lots of fun chatting, & Anne is such an inspirationally infectious character, which shines through with everything she does.

Bats Without Borders

Bats Without Borders - Donate here

Hugely respected & recognised for his contributions to bat conservation, Roger Ransome began studying bats in 1956, completing his PhD in 1979. He is a Linnean Society Award winner for Contributions By An Amateur Towards Scientific Progress, as well as having received the Pete Guest Award (2010) from BCT. Much of what we know about Greater horseshoe bats comes from the work he, & many others working alongside him, have been carrying out at Woodchester Mansion. Add to all this the numerous scientific papers produced, as well as being an author of books, & let's not forget his Guinness World Record for the longest mammal study carried out by an individual. 

Find out about Roger's research here

The Natural History of Hibernating Bats by Roger Ransome

It's great to have Nils Bouillard back for a second interview here on our channel, this time we focus on the background to his recently published book: Big Bat Year - A Conservation Story (published 2023). Follow Nils on Twitter: @NilsBouillard

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/

When we recorded this interview Henry Schofield had recently retired as Head of Conservation at Vincent Wildlife Trust, where he had worked for over 30 years. During his time with the trust he was involved with many bat-related projects (as well as other species groups), including extensively with horseshoe species. Here we explore his life journey to date, as well as talking about some of his research & books.

Vincent Wildlife Trust

Bats of Britain & Ireland (7th Edition)  

Katheryn Leggat has had an amazing life story to date, which we really enjoyed chatting about during this session. It was also an opportunity for us to find out all about Kasanka National Park in Zambia, home for so much wildlife including the 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats that migrate into the area every year - the largest migration event for any mammal species anywhere on the planet.

Kasanka Trust Ltd - Donate Here

^o^ Something just for our podcast audience.

Sometimes light-hearted, occasionally a little more serious! Here are some random thoughts from your Talking Bat host, Neil Middleton :-) Email address for feedback: neil.middleton@batability.co.uk