10 different species of bats to see at holiday park over Halloween

Youngster Harry Pratt enjoys pumpkin carving at Kelling Heath. Picture: Kelling Heath (Image: Archant)

Ten different species of the nocturnal creatures were discovered flying around Kelling Heath Holiday Park during surveys carried out by wildlife expert Carl Brooker.

John Cumming, Kelling's estates quality and assurance manager, hopes they might make a timely appearance during the park's Halloween activities programme on Thursday evening, October 31.

He said: "Everyone associates bats with Halloween, but our dedicated countryside team works hard throughout the year to protect and enhance the park's natural environment so that creatures like this have the ecosystem they need to thrive in their natural habitat. That's why the survey results are so pleasing and why we're keeping our fingers crossed for a few fly pasts on Thursday evening."

More than 9,000 bat passes were recorded by automated equipment during the three-night survey. Species spotted included the common pipistrelle and the nationally rare barbastelle.

Dr Stuart Newson, Senior Research Ecologist and Research Fellow at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), said: "Kelling Heath Holiday Park is clearly an important habitat for bats. The survey results just goes to show what a great job the park is doing to encourage and maintain the diversity of species needed to support such a large bat population."

The holiday park is officially recognised as having some of the darkest skies in the country, and last month won a Good Lighting Award from the British Astronomical Association's Commission for Dark Skies.

Kelling's pumpkin carving competition and Halloween fancy dress parade starts at 4.30pm, and there's a guided night walk starting at 6.30pm.

for more details on Halloween events visit https://www.kellingheath.co.uk/acorn-activities-october-2019-eid19.html