Bat and Barn Owl Nights

Join us for a unique chance to visit our reserve with a warden at dusk.

First, you'll check a moth trap to see wonderful species of moths that have been caught such as the ruby tiger and elephant hawk-moth before setting off for the night.You'll then walk around the reserve, firstly looking for barn owls at dusk before searching for bats when it becomes dark.

Our Reserve Warden will talk to you about tracking, recording and identifying bats, and you'll get to use a bat detector to hear the sounds of different bat species.June dates:Friday 12 June, Saturday 13 JuneFriday 19 June, Saturday 20 JuneJuly dates: Friday 10 July, Saturday 11 JulyFAQsDoes this ticket include admission to Martin Mere?This ticket only covers the Bat & Barn Owl Evenings, as it is an exclusive out of hours event.

For standard visits to WWT Martin Mere, you will need to purchase separate admission tickets.I’m a member, do I still need to pay for this event?Yes, as this is a separate out of hours event, you will still need to purchase a ticket.

This helps us towards running costs such as staffing.What should I wear / or bring with meWarm layers, sturdy footwear, and something waterproof just in case.

Evenings can get chilly.

We also recommend bringing some binoculars along with you too.

Please feel free to bring a drink flask with you.How far is the walk?The walk is approximately 3 miles long and the event takes 3 hours in total.

You will be taken on rough terrain across the reserve.Am I guaranteed to see barn owls and bats?We can’t guarantee sightings, wildlife does its own thing.

However, Martin Mere is a great habitat and we are very likely to see or hear bats, and barn owls are regularly spotted hunting over the reserve especially during the June/July period when they are feeding their young.

There is also plenty of other wildlife as you explore the reserve with our team.What bat species live at Martin Mere?At WWT Martin Mere, we have recorded Soprano Pipistrelle, Common pipistrelle, Noclule, Daubentons and Brown Long eared Bats using bat detection equipment, which we will also be using on the Bat & Barn Owl Evenings.