Led by Dr.Iain Bolton, this is a great opportunity to see and hear bats at this beautiful site.
Bats use sonar or echolocation to hunt for prey during the night, sending sound out into the world around them to create an aural picture of their surroundings. Each bat has a different call from which they can be identified. We will be using bat detectors to listen to the sounds of these wonderful mammals.
If there is heavy rain or thunderstorms the walk will be cancelled.
Previous walks at have provided sightings of bats, but patience is required in the early stages.
Dr. Iain Bolton
Dr Iain Boulton is an ecologist working for the London Borough of Lambeth, and has been there for almost 23 years. Iain’s responsible for managing, promoting and protecting wildlife and biodiversity in Lambeth, especially in parks and other open spaces.
He has a particular interest in British bats, not just because they are fascinating animals with a very unusual lifestyle, but also because they act as important ‘biological early warning systems’, telling us about how our and their own environment is changing and what it could mean for us as humans – unless we heed the warning signs and act on them!
Friends of Garthorne Road
The Friends formed in January 2016 and have plenty of plans for the future, these include helping the Nature Conservation Team at Lewisham Council manage and open the site on a regular basis. They also help to carry out a number of surveys (butterfly, wildflower) and lead guided walks. We are also keen for schools to use the site and if you are a school and are keen to get involved, please contact the Friends who will be able to help.
If you are interest in joining the Friends Group, please contact the Friends.
This event is free, but donations to the Friends Group to help continue their work on the site are welcome. Donations can be made on the day if you wish.
NB Please wear sensible shoes/outerwear for the weather and walking in the reserve after dark. Please arrive on time as the gates are closed for security purposes.
Please note: Whilst we understand that plans can change at short notice, this event attracts a lot of people and we always have a waiting list. If you are no longer able to attend, please let us know as soon as you can so that we can offer the place to someone else.
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve 