A Magical Evening with Bats and Moths at Harmony Woods
On Saturday, August 17th, 2024, Harmony Woods came alive in a celebration of nature's nighttime wonders. This enchanting evening was the fulfillment of a unique lot won at May’s Auction of Promises—a private guided bat walk and moth trap. The experience, brought to life by the expertise of Lucy Hadingham, a passionate ecologist, and Alex Marshall, a trustee and former ecologist at ATU, was nothing short of spectacular.
The knowledgeable guides embarked on a journey from Norfolk and Nottingham to share their expertise with a delightful group of friends from Wherwell. The excitement was palpable as the group gathered at dusk, eager to explore the hidden world of bats and moths that call Harmony Woods home.
Photo taken by Wendy Davis
A Symphony of Bat Calls
Equipped with Magenta bat detectors, they set out on their bat walk, each step bringing them closer to the mysterious creatures of the night. Lucy, with her Echo Meter detector in hand, guided the group through the fascinating process of identifying bat calls. As the detectors began to pick up the high-pitched echolocations, Lucy confirmed the shapes of the calls on the computer back at the cabin. To the delight of the group, four species of bats were identified: the Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Noctule, and Serotine.
The excitement of hearing these bats in action was only matched by the beauty of their calls captured on screen. Here are some highlights:
First Image: A delightful interaction between two Soprano Pipistrelles, echolocating and engaging in social calls. The lower, wiggly-looking hockey sticks on the screen represent their social chatter—a rare treat to witness.
Second Image: A classic call from a Noctule, its deep tone resonating around 18kHz, creating a perfect illustration of this species’ signature sound.
Third Image: The unmistakable echolocation series of a Common Pipistrelle, showcasing the precision and clarity of these tiny nocturnal hunters.
Fourth Image: A file that captured not just one but three Serotine bats—a special moment that highlighted the richness of our surroundings.
Moths of the Night
As the bat walk drew to a close, the group gathered around the moth trap set by Alex earlier in the evening. The trap revealed a surprising array of visitors, each one a testament to the diversity of life that thrives after dark. Among the stars of the show were a Brimstone Moth and an Orange Swift, their delicate patterns and colours illuminated under the soft glow of the group’s torches.
Interestingly, not all the moths were eager to depart when it was time to pack up, adding a touch of humour to the evening’s end.
Photo taken by Alex Marshall
An Evening to Remember
The evening concluded with a glass of wine and a fascinating discussion about the recordings made during the walk. Lucy and Alex’s passion for ecology was infectious, leaving everyone with a newfound appreciation for the incredible wildlife that often goes unnoticed in the cover of night.
This Bat and Moth Walk at Harmony Woods was more than just an evening out—it was an immersive experience that deepened connection to nature and the extraordinary creatures that share the world. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making this evening possible, and especially to Lucy and Alex for their time, expertise, and enthusiasm. Andover Trees United look forward to many more nights under the stars, discovering the wonders of the wild.