Woodlands are important habitats for a number of species including bats. Lots of rare bat species use and rely on woodland habitats to survive and the way woodlands are managed is important for their conservation. Bat species represent about 20% of all UK mammal species and all these bat species in the UK have undergone significant population declines in recent history.

In the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend we have very few records of bats in woodlands despite large areas of habitat across the two counties. We also have no records of species such as Bechstein's and barbastelles (very rare woodland bats) despite supporting large areas of potentially suitable habitat. We want to find out what bat species are present in our woodlands and work with landowners and managers to ensure the protection and management of these areas to maintain and improve habitats for rare bat species into the future.

To do this we have developed an ambitious research project to find out what bats are in our woodlands. As a small volunteer run group we need your help to fund this project. We need a piece of equipment called a harp trap - this is a device that catches bats safely and effectively in woodlands. The bats are identified and released unharmed from the trap. All donations of any size towards this piece of equipment, that will greatly assist our work, are enormously appreciated!