International Batnight events scheduled across Germany for late August

The International Batnight is scheduled for the weekend of August 29 and 30, featuring various educational events, excursions, and exhibitions across Germany to promote the study and protection of bats.

Organized by EUROBATS and coordinated in Germany by NABU, the events include night hikes, lectures, and opportunities to use bat detectors to listen to ultrasonic calls. Locations for these activities span several regions, including Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. Specific sites mentioned include the Max-Eyth-See in Stuttgart, the Rhine meadows in Breisach, and the copper mine in Fischbach.

Many bat species in Germany are currently endangered due to the loss of habitats in buildings, caves, and old trees, as well as a declining insect population. Experts note that milder winters have led to range expansions for species like the Alpine bat and the White-edge bat. Conservation efforts encouraged by NABU include installing bat boxes and maintaining insect-friendly, pesticide-free gardens to support their primary food source.