Night time bat walks to be the new way to experience Salford’s wildlife

For the last 15 years, the Salford Ranger team has been dedicated to getting Salfordians involved with the local nature and wildlife, and this seems to be the case for their bat walks.

The dedicated bat walks are now more popular than ever, with growing numbers across the region.  

Bat walks are a unique and exciting way to get out on a torchlit trail guided by rangers while being informed about the many species of bats within different areas of Salford woodland.

The walks also offer an opportunity to detect the bats with a bat detector, which picks up frequencies human ears often can’t hear, and special red flashlights that don’t disturb the bats. 

Ranger Joseph Palframan described the bat walks as “exciting, and something not a lot of people would do alone, and visiting our sites at night gives attendees a different experience.”

Getting people active and involved with wildlife and local nature is one of the main goals of the Ranger Team, who run a variety of events teaching locals about Salford’s history, greenery, and ecosystems, including around 10-20 bat walks per year. 

Throughout the year the sessions run most frequently between April and October, with the winter months as the bats prepare for hibernation. 

Ranger Joseph also emphasised the impact the Ranger Team’s events can have on both mental and physical health.

As he said: “Many people on our walks enjoy watching wildlife, the sounds, smells and how they change through the seasons. It helps us connect with nature.”

The various walks also enable people to keep fit, as well as engage with their community and feel included.  

Salford Ranger Team operates in a variety of locations- from the mosslands in Irlam to more urban parks like Buile Hill Park. 

The wide diversity of locations means there are opportunities to experience all sorts of animals,  plants and insects, as Ranger Plaframan said bats are at serious risk from climate change. 

The next bat walk is scheduled for Friday, 22nd November in Kersal Park.

More information can be found on the Salford Ranger Team’s Facebook page.