City Nature Challenge 2026: Bat life @ Riverside Valley Park

Help us record wildlife for Exeter’s first City Nature Challenge! This is a global biodiversity recording event run between 24th- 27th April 2026, when we are asking people to go out and record the wildlife they see in Exeter using the free iNaturalist app. You can join us on an organised event, go and record nature on your favourite walk around Exeter, or use your nature knowledge to verify people’s photos afterwards, contributing to our national biodiversity datasets. Join the project page here and check out the other events on our webpage

Explore the evening world of bats along the River Exe with bat expert, Sue Searle. There are 18 bat species resident in the UK, most of which can be found in and around the Exeter area. We will be walking through Devon Wildlife Trust's Riverside Valley Park using the echolocation sounds made by the bats while they’re hunting to locate and identify the species.

We will be meeting at Bromhams Farm Car Park at 20:00, and walking essentially until it gets too dark to do anything (probably about 21:30, but please feel free to leave early if that is too late for you)!

The joining point is

What3words: ///dream.river.unity

Google pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2b4ntr32TucoR9ML8

Nearest postcode: EX2 8QE

What to bring:

· Weather appropriate clothing, and sturdy footwear such as wellies or walking boots/shoes. Waterproofs if needed.

· A drink of water/snacks

· Any Medic*tion that may be required (e.g. asthma inhaler, auto injector)

· A torch, as not all campus paths are lit.

· A phone for recording species! While ideally not everyone will record the same bat observation, we may see other species that we wish to record while out.

Under 18’s are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

For accessibility information please check the event webpage and if you have any concerns email [email protected]

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Host or Publisher Sustainability The University of Exeter