Talking Bat

Dr Mateo Ruiz is Head of Conservation at the Barn Owl Trust, after having first completing his post-graduate research on bird communities in coastal wetlands of Mexico. During this session we discuss in depth his experiences & career journey to date, along with exploring some of his other interests. Barn Owl Trust - find out more 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/

Here we are delighted to bring to you an interview with Ben Averis. Ben is highly respected within the ecology sector for his knowledge on botany, & along with his wife, Alison Averis, they have created sought after consultancy services, delivering many specialist botonatical surveys & training. As well as botany, Ben is also an artist, a musician & a poet, all of which we touch upon during this chat. Follow Ben on BlueSky: @averisben.bsky.social Ben & Alison Averis website Ben Averis Art website Botanical Society of Scotland website

An excellent interview with Gary Burns, an experienced & highly respected wildlife guide & natural history photographer based in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). He offers wildlife tours for those transiting through Dubai, or in the area already be that on holiday or more permanently. We have used Gary oursleves during a trip to the area, & were astonished to see what the area had to offer. Find out now for yourself - listen to this podcast. Dubai Birding, Herping & Mammals website Dubai Transit Birding, Herping & Mammals facebook Barn Owl 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/

Dave Smallshire is hugely respected in the world of dragonflies, a subject about which he has authored many books, & also played a key part in their conservation. As well as all of this, he is a keen birder, photographer & an experienced wildlife guide. During this interview we explore many aspects of his life journey. Dragonflies Of Britain & Ireland book Europe's Dragonflies book British Dragonfly Society

Dr Jonny Hanson is a Research Fellow at Queen's University (Belfast), an award-winning social entrepreneur, & an affiliate of the Snow Leopard Conservancy. His PhD research was centred on Snow leopard conservation. This, amongst other things, has lead to a short film (Snow Leopard Trail) about sharing landscapes with apex predators. The subject matter is of relevance to us here in Britain & Ireland, during a time when re-introduction of lynx is being discussed. The film is touring during late 2025 & 2026, with first showings at Queen's Film Theatre (22nd Oct 2025) & Clones Film Festival (23rd/26th Oct 2025) Snow Leopard Trail - watch the teaser here Living With Lynx - find out about the book here Snow Leopard Conservancy - find out more here Jonny Hanson website 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/

An excellent interview with Simon Tonkin & Niki Williamson, the owners of Inglorious Bustards, based in Andalucia, Spain. During our chat we talk about, setting up their business, bird migration, eco-tourism, the trips they organise & the conservation work they are involved with in The Gambia. Inglorious Bustards - visit here Flyway Birding Association - visit here

During the Bat Conservation Trust's National Bat Conference (Dutham, Sept 2025) 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: Nigel Massen (Pelagic Publishing) Steve Powell/Daniel Moonen (NHBS Ltd) Oliver Devereux (Thomas Jacks Ltd) Andrew Milner/Liat Wicks/Kate Volodarets (Thermal Vision Ecology) Sarah Deans (Lotek UK Ltd) Tiffany Jedrecka/Kate Denton (Nature Metrics) Sam Davis (Reflex Cameras) Josef Carlson (BioSonic, Sweden) Andreia Correia da Costa (Bat Conservation Trust) Carrie-Ann Coxon Illustrations David Koller (Elekon AG - Switzerland) Dilly Hoyt (Fox Mountain Glassworks) Martin Bailey (Wildlife & Countryside Services / Poland Trips) Paul Howden-Leach (Wildlife Acoustics)

Here we are delighted to be speaking with George Bemment about the recently published 'Bats & Ladders, Stories from the Real World of Bat Conservation'. George has been involved with mammals her whole working life, as a zookeeper for 5 years, before taking a zoology degree & then in 1988 joining a national bat conservation project. Professional & voluntary bat work has dominated her life. A mammalogist at heart, she has also taught as a part-time lecturer in mammalogy (Exeter University), sat on the Council of the Mammal Society, & is a founding member of the Devon Mammal Group Bats & Ladders - find out more about the book here The 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/

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. This is her 4th time on Talking Bat, & on this occasion we focus on her latest challenge, this time to complete the 100 km St Cuthbert’s Way ultra-marathon. A challenge that could take >19 hours to complete. Did she do it? Find out here. Why? It’s all for charity \o/ in order to raise money for The Bat Conservation Trust. Make your donation here on Anne's Just Giving page.

A 'one off' special just for our podcast audience. Aileen Hendry interviews Neil Middleton about the recent Talking Bat milestones achieved: >100 episodes & >10,000 downloads. ^o^ A massive thanks to all of our amazing guests & all of our fabulous listeners. :-) 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/

Thought provoking, engaging, entertaining & aspirational are all things we can say about our guest, Lucy McRobert. In addition to her role at The Sound Approach, Lucy writes a monthly column for the hugely respected Birdwatch magazine, & has authored two books, so far (more on the way!). Really enjoyed our chat, & getting her perspectives on so many aspects of life, being a birder & being an author. Blue's Planet (Australia) book 365 Days Wild book Isles of Scilly Wildlife 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/

Delighted to invite James Shipman back for a second time on our Talking... series. This time we are focussing on his recently published book: Identifying Bats of Britain & Ireland - A Field Workers Guide Bat Conservation Trust

Ian Agranat is the founder & CEO at Wildlife Acoustics, an organisation that supplies a huge amount of bio-acoustics hardware & software solutions worldwide. During this interview we explore Ian's backstory, the lead up to the launch of the business, & the current challenging economic/political climate within which a US based company is operating. Wildlife Acoustics The Nature Connection

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/

An excellent conversion with Jim Mullholland, director of BATS Research & Training. Jim has been involved with bat research since 2005, & is also a qualified arboriculturist, as well as having a diploma in teaching & training. He is highly respected in his field of expertise, & heavily involved in bat-related training. Bat Conservation Trust Nightwatch project