Hire/Borrow A Bat Detector?

[rjmartinuk]

Hey Everyone

I am a very poor student and me and a friend were planning on looking for bats on our local patch in the not too distant future.

Anyway the problem is we don't have a bat detector - and from looking online they are £50+ .... I was just wondering if it were possible to hire or borrow one from somewhere? We would only need it for the weekend.

We are both members of the RSPB/Wildlife Trust and always put the wildlife first when watching

Many Thanks,

Rob

[dampflippers]

I don't know where you live but your best bet is either second hand on a well known auction site, or to join a public bats walk or bat training session.

There are local bat groups all over the country, and you might find someone selling a second hand one, or they may have some to borrow once you have joined.

News, Training and Events - Bat Conservation Trust
Local Bat Groups - Bat Conservation Trust

[The Woodman]

I don't know where you are in the country but many bat groups have detectors they lend to members. Ours does - for only £5 a year membership.

Along with dampflippers I would also recommend doing a basic bat detector workshop run by a bat group or the BCT. Suitable courses are available and some target those hoping to assist with the National Bat Monitoring Programme giving a good introduction to the use of a detector, etc.

See the BCT page Introductory Bat Detector Workshops - Bat Conservation Trust

If you live in the NW, come and see me on the 11th June.

[tom00_uk]

talk to a friendly lecturer or technician, if the collage/university has them they will often go unused for long periods in a store room. If you nice and promise to replace if lost etc then in most cases you should find your self with one for a set amount of time