The Dorset Bat Group works to conserve bats in Dorset and carries out much of the practical work involved in monitoring bats and their habitat throughout the county. As well as visiting roosts on behalf of English Nature, the group runs several bat box projects, participates in many surveys as part of the National Bat Monitoring Programme and plays a key role in the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured bats. We also have an extensive promotional and education programme. If you would like to know more please contact us at www.dorsetbatgroup.org.uk or via the Dorset Wildlife Trust at Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester. DT2 7AA.

At a more local level to Queen’s Park, Phil Smith is training with English Nature to be a local bat warden. A bat box project is being planned for the park, and we hope to organise an evening bat walk so you can learn about the tremendous benefits these mammals offer to the local bio-diversity. There will be more on this at a later date. As bats are now starting to emerge from their winter hibernation sites, you may come across "lost" bats, or ones that have been caught by cats and injured. Please contact Phil on 01202 527747, who will be able to help. Phil is also very interested to learn of any sightings in your garden you may have over the coming year.

Please email him on phil_smith90@hotmail.com with the date, weather conditions, numbers and post code. This information will go onto a map of the area showing the distribution in the Queen’s Park area. We hope to have a display at the Queen’s Park summer picnic, where you can find out more about us, and the local bat population.