People invited to support Suffolk bat conservation project
Workshops planned to help uncover the secret lives of bats
The University of Suffolk and Transition Woodbridge are inviting the community to join them in their citizen science project aimed at monitoring bats and supporting environmental wellbeing in Suffolk.
The initiative involves building low-cost ultrasonic microphones to record the sounds and activities of bats living in the area, offering researchers valuable biodiversity and population data.
Supported by East Suffolk Council’s Melton, Woodbridge and Deben Peninsula Community Partnership, the project received £4,971 in funding for materials, venue hire, and research assistant support.
Over recent years, participants in Woodbridge have helped assemble the ultrasonic devices, with workshops involving people of all ages, including local school students and families.
Connected to mobile phones, these microphones record wildlife sound data, which is then sent to the University of Suffolk for detailed analysis.
More workshops are planned in 2026, including sessions in February and March at Melton Pavilion, open to people of all ages interested in contributing to conservation efforts.
Councillor Stephen Molyneux, Chair of the Community Partnership, praised the project’s impact both on conservation and community engagement.
“It’s been amazing to see the enthusiasm and support from the community so far for this pioneering conservation project that importantly reaches individuals and families from low-income and rural backgrounds,” Molyneux said.
“The project is vital in providing experts with the data needed to uncover secrets of bats living in the area. By supporting communities to build monitoring equipment and equipping them with skills, we hope this project can continue to flourish across the district.”
Dr Mark Bowler, Course Leader in Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science at the university, shared the excitement surrounding the initiative.
“We’ve been delighted and overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, demand and support for collaborative bat investigation and research across East Suffolk,” Bowler said.
Dan Beckett, a student involved in the programme, highlighted the importance of community involvement.
“This cool and exciting project is great to get the community involved, which is an essential part of successful conservation programmes of the future,” Beckett said.
For those interested in joining, the workshops in Melton Pavilion will offer an opportunity to contribute to bat research while learning new skills.