Description
When the sun sets over Burscough Community Farm, an entirely different world takes over the skies above our fields, ponds and woodland edges. On Wednesday 9th September at 7:00 pm, we’re inviting you to step into it.
Wildlife expert Andrew Clark will lead a small group through the farm’s most active areas for bats. Rather than a formal lecture, this is a hands-on experience where you will use professional bat detectors. These devices translate high-frequency echolocation into audible sounds, allowing you to identify different species by their unique calls: the rapid chatter of pipistrelles, the low “smack” of noctules, and the rhythmic sweeps of Daubenton’s bats as they hunt over the water.
Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight, and they’re extraordinary allies — a single pipistrelle can eat thousands of insects in one night. Multiply that across the dozens hunting our farm after dark, and you begin to understand why these creatures matter so much to a healthy ecosystem.
Bats may be the stars, but they’re not the only performers. Tawny owls call from the boundary trees, barn owls quarter the grassland on silent wings, and if we’re lucky, you might glimpse deer moving through the wildflower meadows.
The walk is gentle and accessible for all ages, on mostly flat terrain, with frequent stops to listen and observe. Afterwards — because Lancashire evenings can carry a chill even in September — we’ll gather indoors for hot drinks and biscuits, the perfect chance to share what you’ve seen and put your questions to Andrew.
Event details
- Date: Wednesday 9th September 2026, 7:00 pm
- Cost: £2.50 per person (covers refreshments)
- Audience: Suitable for all ages
- Availability: Limited spaces available
- Requirements: Sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, a torch (red filter preferred), and your curiosity
We look forward to sharing the farm’s nocturnal secrets with you. Please book your place today to experience the landscape from a unique perspective.