Discover bats and other night-time creatures in East Devon

The East Devon District Council's countryside team will be celebrating International Bat Weekend with two night-time events to spot bats.

Bat events are taking place across the country to mark the weekend which is happening from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 August.

The countryside team is running events in Cranbrook and Seaton where participants can hope to catch glimpses of these nocturnal creatures.

The first event takes place in Cranbrook on Wednesday 23 August where you can join the country park ranger for a walk on the wild side of the town looking for night-time creatures.

Towards the end of the summer, on Thursday 7 September there is an evening bat walk at Seaton Wetlands. The Devon Bat Project, together with the countryside team will take you on a wetlands adventure looking for evidence of Greater Horseshoe Bats using a bat detector.

Cranbrook country park ranger, Emma Jones said: "Bats play a really important role in our environment and across the world. They eat pests such as mosquitoes so help to keep bites at bay and they also pollinate species of mango, bananas and agave allowing us to enjoy delicious fruit!

‘Events delivered by the countryside team are an exciting way to learn more about the natural world and the amazing bio-diversity we can find in East Devon.’’

Cllr Tom Wright, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder for the environment, said: "The countryside team deliver a range of exciting events throughout the year. These two bat events are a wonderful chance to learn more about bio-diversity in East Devon and the important work the countryside team do to encourage wildlife across the district.’"

To find out more about the work of the countryside team and to book onto an event visit wildeastdevon.co.uk

The team can also be contacted via email: countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk or by calling 01395 517557.

Photo: Discover the Countryside at night to celebrate International Bat Weekend: Frank Greenaway.