It’s always great to see where lesser horseshoe bats choose to hibernate! Our first annual winter count as part of the National Bat Monitoring Programme has recorded slightly lower numbers than usual, which is likely due to the recent mild weather. Huge thanks to #BrecknockBatGroup for joining us.

#IVD2025 Thank you to everyone who gives their time through volunteering activities, community action and citizen science. Your contribution enhances the impact that VWT has in wildlife monitoring and conservation in Britain and Ireland. #EveryContributionMatters #TogetherWeCanMakeADifference

Just one day left for your chance to double your donation to VWT's work to monitor and make a difference for some of Britain and Ireland's most threatened bat species through this year's #BigGive'sChristmasChallenge. More info here bit.ly/443VPu2

Don't miss this chance to help VWT work with communities and volunteers to make a difference for Britain and Ireland's threatened mammals. For more information and to apply, please visit www.vwt.org.uk/vacancies Please share widely.

Last chance to spot a polecat! VWT’s #4thNationalPolecatSurvey ends 31.12.2025 — and every record helps us understand how this native mammal is doing. Share your sightings here arcg.is/1TXqHC or use the Mammal Mapper app or send us an email to [email protected] @mammalsociety.bsky.social

Don't miss the latest edition of @batconservation.bsky.social fantastic podcast #BatChat and find out about hidden roosts and 50 Years of VWT.

#BecauseOfYou, so far we have been able to work with communities to build 84 pine marten den boxes, install 63, set up a national pine marten monitoring programme and 3 pine marten havens, build+install 67 bat boxes+record >2,675 barbastelle calls in 18 woods in Pembs. #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Save the Date reminder! We'll be hosting the next European Mustelid Colloquium 6-9th October in Białowieża with @mripas.bsky.social and Białowieża Ecology Conference. Learn more: www.vwt.org.uk/36th-europea... Join the EMC mailing list: eepurl.com/ga-5z9

So far, in 2025, VWT’s #NaturAmByth project has collected 2,675 new acoustic records of barbastelles in Pembs. By the year end, we expect 3,000+ records — a fantastic result. Thanks to our [email protected], we’re learning more about barbastelles in Wales and how to help them thrive.

Celebrating #NationalTreeWeek

VWT’s long-term monitoring of two of Britain’s rarest woodland bats – Bechstein’s + barbastelle bats, in partnership, uses ringing and DNA testing to provide vital insights into their movements, social behaviour and population trends, and helps us take action for the bats + their woodland habitats.

Celebrating #NationalTreeWeek

#NationalTreeWeek VWT’s #MartensOnTheMove works with landowners, communities+vols to install 150 den boxes in 6 Monitoring Hubs as safe places for pine martens to rest, overwinter+raise young. The boxes are monitored to see how populations are recovering in these areas. #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

#NationalTreeWeek Why do trees matter to mustelids? Trees+woodlands are lifelines for many mustelid species, providing shelter and safe spaces from predators. They are good feeding areas, supporting prey like voles and mice, and they also connect habitats to help mustelids move through landscapes.

#NationalTreeWeek Trees play an essential role in the ecology of greater horseshoe bats, with increased activity recorded in fields and along tall hedgerows that contain trees. They are also used as hunting perches to scan for passing prey, such as moths and beetles. Photo ©Daniel Hargreaves

We’re Hiring! Could you help VWT support an amazing team of volunteers and engage with community groups in Britain and Ireland — and help us make a difference for mammal conservation? For more information and to apply, please visit www.vwt.org.uk/vacancies

Thank you to the #HoughtonProject and #BrechfaSied for building pine marten feeder boxes for #MartensOnTheMove. These are designed for pine martens and help exclude other wildlife. They are baited with food such as peanuts or sardines and are used as a monitoring tool. #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to double your donations to support VWT's bat monitoring work through this year's #BigGive'sChristmasChallenge. Your donations will make it easier to monitor our most threatened bat species and make a difference to bat conservation. More info here bit.ly/443VPu2

📢 I'm hiring! I genuinely think these are some of the best policy jobs in the charity sector. Be part of a brilliant team having huge impact, working on some of the most important issues for nature, climate and heritage. Shout if you'd like a chat. www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...

Don’t miss your chance to be VWT’s next Chair of Trustees — Deadline to apply is 5pm on Friday 21 November. Join us and help to make a difference for threatened mammals in Britain, Ireland and mainland Europe. Here for more info and to apply bit.ly/4o05kS2

In partnership with local authorities in West Ireland, we’ve completed our 8th modelling study to identify potential safe corridors for #lesserhorseshoebats to fly between roosts+ feeding areas. Part of the 1st #SpeciesActionPlan in Ireland for the species, we hope it will help safeguard its future.

As part of its 50th Anniversary, VWT has launched its '50 Years' Impact Report. As well as a look back over the past 50 years, this report looks forward to the work that still needs to be done to make a difference for threatened mammals in Britain, Ireland and mainland Europe. ➡️ bit.ly/3LzSOLG

One of the most impactful conservation charities you've never heard of. Their handprints are all over huge UK nature successes such as otter recovery, pine marten reintroduction to England and Wales, and recovery of rare bat species. I'm so proud to be a trustee for this brilliant organisation.

Thank you @georgierose.bsky.social and the fab team of dedicated Trustees for your support.

Conservation can really make a difference for threatened mammals. @vincentwt.bsky.social is celebrating all that has been achieved over the past 50 years and looking forward to ambitious plans for the future

Do get in touch if you are interested in joining the @vincentwt.bsky.social Board as our new Chair

#MartensOnTheMove had a fantastic time in the Tweed Valley training vols in pine marten den box installation. The vols gained hands-on experience picking the right tree for a den box, the safety procedures required and the roles needed for a successful installation. #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

A huge thank you to Simon King @uktwitcher.bsky.social for helping us to launch VWT’s Impact Report at the fab @royalsociety.org venue today + to our speakers + to our guests who joined us. We’re excited to make even more impact over the next 50 years with more partnerships to make a difference.

#BatWeek Volunteers hugely support VWT’s work to have an impact in conserving priority bat species. This support includes monitoring, creating, recording, surveying, collecting, installing and maintaining. Thank you to everyone who has joined a volunteering activity. Together we make a difference.

New blog! Den Box Host, Dr Karen Blackport, shares her story of making space for nature and becoming a pine marten den box host for the #MartensOnTheMove project. Read the full blog here bit.ly/3Wi6mgV #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

#BatWeek Vols have used acoustic surveys to gain info on barbastelle maternity colonies for VWT's @naturambyth.bsky.social Barbastelle Project in Pembs. We have collected 1,500+ barbastelle recordings from almost 2million sound files! We’ve also put up 27 bat boxes and made roost features in trees.

#BatWeek Ireland’s first Species Action Plan (SAP) for #lesserhorseshoebats (2022–2026) marks a major step in protecting this species. The plan, a collaboration between National Parks and Wildlife Service and @vwtireland.bsky.social, is based on research and lays out actions to restore the species.

If you are interested in joining VWT as Chair of trustees, please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you! visit vwt.org.uk/vacancies

VWT is looking for a highly motivated person with proven leadership qualities, experience in charity governance and strong existing networks in the environment sector to lead its Board of Trustees and work in partnership with the CEO. More info + to apply by 21 Nov 2025, visit vwt.org.uk/vacancies

On Saturday, #MartensOnTheMove took part in Newport EcoFest – hosted by the Newport City Council Climate Change Team. We talked with local residents about the project and work we are doing in Monmouthshire and the surrounding area to support the recovery of pine martens. #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

If you are interested in joining VWT as Chair of trustees, please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you! visit vwt.org.uk/vacancies

Join @georgierose.bsky.social and the rest of the terrific team of dedicated Trustees helping to make a difference to threatened mammals in Britain and Ireland.

Such a privilege to be working with @iolowilliams.bsky.social and Singularity Films to make our 50 year video!

Please do pass on to your contacts and if you are interested we'd be pleased to hear from you

Polecats are often seen as road casualties at this time of year. If you see a polecat please report it to our National Polecat Survey by following this link to our online form: arcg.is/1TXqHC

This summer, not only has #MartensOnTheMove been busy launching the new Pine Marten Havens, but the team has also been attending events across its Strategic Recovery Areas. This includes the Peebles Nature Festival, Hay Festival, Galloway Country Fair and Monmouth Pride. #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Fantastic to see that Kerry's #lesserhorseshoe bats will have more places to roost in VWT's bat reserves.

Join #MartensOnTheMove and #ShropshireMammalGroup for an introduction to pine marten monitoring. You will gain conservation monitoring skills, such as identifying pine marten field signs and using motion sensitive cameras. Book here bit.ly/466YWCS #NationalLotteryHeritageFund (2/2)

Join #MartensOnTheMove to learn pine marten den box installation — includes a half-day talk (7 Oct) and 2.5 days of practical training. Learn how to choose the right tree and safely install a den box. You do not need to attend all 3 days. Book here bit.ly/3KmKNc7 #NationalLotteryHeritageFund (1/2)

Sounds like you had a great time with Manx Bat Group. #lesserhorseshoebats

Announcement! We're organising the next European Mustelid Colloquium in partnership with @mripas.bsky.social and the Białowieża Ecology Conference Join the mailing list: eepurl.com/ga-5z9 #36EMC

New blog! #MartensOnTheMove Project Manager, Dr Stephanie Johnstone, discusses what a ‘Pine Marten Haven’ is, the recent Haven launches and how these sites will benefit pine martens and people. Read the full blog here bit.ly/3Wg4mWi #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Congratulations to our trustee @salliebailey.bsky.social for her @britishecologicalsociety.org fellowship!

We had a great time at the Bat Conference with a packed programme of talks+workshops, including two VWT workshops. It was also good to see the new Lesser Horseshoe Bat Conservation Handbook available from @nhbs.bsky.social. Huge thanks to @batconservation.bsky.social for another great conference.

Yesterday, VWT’s #MartensOnTheMove celebrated its final Pine Marten Haven launch, this time in Wentwood Forest, Monmouthshire, Wales with #CoedCadw and #NaturalResourcesWales! The new Wildlife Hide was officially opened followed by guided walks for visitors to the site #NationalLotteryHeritageFund