Members of the Friends of Abbey Fields group gathered late one night last week in the fields to enjoy a 'bat walk' courtesy of Ridgeway Ecology and Warwickshire Bat Group.

Led by Dr Jon Russ, 26 members met at 9pm on July 7 to learn more about the 18 different species of UK bats.

Group members were give 'bat detectors' to listen to the bats detecting and catching insects as well as to hear 'calls' between the bats mid flight.

On the evening, not only were members able to listen to the bats, but also saw them flying quite low, among the trees near the barn, and a little later low over the water of the lake.

Despite the weather, they saw and heard a lot of bat activity.

In Abbey Fields residents are likely to see Common Pipistrelle bats, Soprano Pipistrelle bats, Noctule bats, Brown Long-eared bats and Daubenton's bats. 

They like to roost in crevices in buildings, trees, roof spaces, bat boxes and other similar spaces.  Different species have different preferences, as well as different preferences for the numbers who roost together.

More details can be found on the Warwickshire Bat Group's website.

More Kenilworth news stories:

- What's on in Kenilworth: July 2021

- Wildlife on show as members enjoy Friends of Abbey Fields bat walk