The group was formed in 2023 following a couple of bat related HEAT events held at Benton End House.

The group aims are:

• To help us all learn more about bats.

• To discover which species of bat we have living in and around our village.

• To find the places they live and forage.

• To help protect these, and enhance all areas for bats and other wildlife.

• To contribute to local, regional and national knowledge bases.

To help achieve theses aims we hold regular bat walks, conduct various surveys, arrange talks, construct and install bat boxes. With the help of local grants and fundraising we have purchased some ultrasonic detection and recording equipment that we have been putting to good use. As of spring 2025 we have positively identified 9 different species.

The group is loosely affiliated to the ‘Suffolk (Wildlife Trust) Bat Group’ and has links with the ‘Essex Bat Group’ and the ‘Bat Conservation Trust.’

If you would like to know more about the Hadleigh Bat Group, join us on our bat walks, or contribute to any of our activities then please email:

hadleigh.heat@hotmail.com