Volunteer Voices - John Docherty

A brand new blog series about the fantastic people who dedicate their time to help bat conservation.

How did you become involved with bats?

Soprano pipistrelle

I first got into bats over 10 years ago when I started to volunteer with Sue Lonsdale at the Wildlife Trust. Back then she was running a project about soprano pipistrelles, along the Bradshaw Valley in Bolton. I also kept on bumping into Steve and Fiona Parker (from South Lancs Bat Group) at gigs and we always got chatting about bands and bats.  

I had always wanted to stay more involved than I had, but life, jobs, moving, kept getting in the way. When I moved to my current house a couple of years ago, there was enough money in my budget to buy a bat detector. I decided to put my bat detector to good use and took part in South Lancs Bat Group’s BATlas Project.

Did you always like bats and being around in nature?

I’ve always enjoyed being outside and taking part in BCT’s Sunset Survey and the Waterway Survey. It’s a great way to get outside in the fresh air with your bat detector, whether if it’s just a quick walk down to the local park or for a longer walk exploring a new area. It feels like you are also contributing to something worthwhile like science and nature.  

Apart from the joy of seeing bats, what else do you like about taking part in surveys?

As a biochemist, there is nothing that I enjoy more than starting to see a graph coming together for the Waterway Survey that I take part in. It’s only been two years and four surveys worth of data so far, but it’s still a nice feeling knowing that you are adding to our knowledge of bats; you can see your contribution to a long-term population study which is very exciting.

On a side note, my partner has always been intrigued by bats when she has gone camping, and she didn’t know detectors were really a thing. She has enjoyed coming out with me looking for bats and learning about them. Plus, as an accountant, she’s also enjoyed seeing the graphs associated with the Waterway Survey as well.

What would you say to someone who is perhaps intrigued by the idea of a bat survey, but hasn’t signed up for one yet?

Just do, you'll be amazed by the bats and also the other nocturnal animals that you will see along the way. You won't be disappointed - that’s a promise.

If you want to find out more about other volunteering opportunities visit this page.