Into the Night: Bat Watching in the Heart of Upper Teesdale
An immersive wildlife experience with a 3-course dinner and guided dusk walk
Discover the hidden world of bats in one of England’s most unspoiled landscapes with a unique evening experience set against the dramatic beauty of Upper Teesdale. As dusk settles over this enchanting part of the North Pennines, join local wildlife experts to explore the secret lives of Britain’s only flying mammals.
Begin your evening with a delicious 3-course meal served in a charming countryside setting, followed by a relaxed and engaging presentation introducing you to the fascinating world of bats—from their unique flying abilities to the remarkable way they navigate the dark using echolocation.
Once night falls, you’ll head out on a short guided walk to High Force Waterfall. With the help of bat detectors and expert guidance, you’ll listen to their calls, learn to identify different species, and hopefully spot these elusive creatures darting through the twilight. Weather permitting, it’s an unforgettable chance to witness bats in their natural habitat.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or thinking about getting involved in local conservation efforts, this experience is the perfect way to deepen your connection with nature.
15th May 2025 | 7pm till late | £55.75 per person
————————————————-
They are the only mammals that can fly!
Bats are mammals, which means they give birth to live young in the same way that humans, cows, lions and lots of other mammal animals do (as opposed to laying eggs, for example).
Everyone knows that bats can fly, but being mammals makes them one of a kind because, usually, mammals can’t fly.
What about the flying squirrel, we hear you say? Because that’s a mammal! Well, they don’t actually fly – they glide – so bats are really quite unique, in this respect.
Not all bats hang upside down!
Almost all bat species hang upside down. Their claws are so strong they can support their whole weight.
It also is the perfect position to fly as they just need to let go and spread their wings.
However, there are six species of bats that don’t do this!
Most of these bats have suctioning pads on their limbs that let them stick to leaves or other surfaces.
Bats can see in the dark, but not with their eyes!
Bats are nocturnal, so being able to function in the dark is essential. In order to know where they are going so they can hunt for insects, bats use something called echolocation.
They make noises and wait for the sound waves to bounce back off objects as an echo. If it doesn’t bounce back, then they know they can safely fly forwards.
They can tell the distance of various objects by how quickly the sound waves bounce back to them. Clever, eh?!
Did you know?
There are around 1,240 different species of bats. This makes up around 20% of all living mammals!
This also ranks bats as one of the most populous mammals in the world (meaning there is the greatest number of them), alongside squirrels, mice and rats.
