Become a bat detective in Milton Keynes' green spaces
Discover the nocturnal world of bats with low-cost guided walks around the parks this Bat Appreciation Day
Every year on 17th April, International Bat Appreciation Day is celebrated to highlight the importance of bats and their direct impact on our lives and the surrounding natural world. They play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystem, and their population levels serve as indicators of our local environment's health. That's why they are protected by UK law to prevent predation, habitat loss, and disturbance.
In Milton Keynes, we are fortunate to have a diverse range of wildlife, including a healthy bat population made up of seven species that can be frequently seen across the city. Whether you're walking by the Grand Union Canal or exploring ancient woodlands like Howe Park Wood, bats can be spotted anywhere if you know when and where to look.
That is why we host guided bat walks every year to give the local community a chance to learn more about these nocturnal creatures, their behaviours, and how to easily identify them. Tickets for the below events will be released on Wednesday 17th April. Click the links to book.
Bat Walk: Walton Lake - Friday 26th April
Bat Walk: Shenley Wood - Friday 10th May
Bat Walk: Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve - Wednesday 29th May
Bat Walk: Caldecotte Lake - Friday 14th June
Joining one of our knowledgeable guides to look and listen out for bats has become an increasingly in-demand event for all ages. It's the perfect opportunity to witness bats in their natural environment while growing an appreciation and understanding of them. These events are very popular, so we highly recommend booking soon to avoid disappointment!
For families unable to attend the walks or wanting to learn more about bats at their own pace, we have created a bat activity pack for children to celebrate all things bats! This resource features facts and themed activities, including colouring pages, word searches, and a fun quiz to test their knowledge about these fascinating flying mammals.
If you're interested in learning more about how The Parks Trust protects local species through activities such as box monitoring and surveys or how you can personally contribute to conserving populations and their habitats, we have a bat overview page that provides everything you need to know!
