Back

Bat Walks and Conservation Efforts Highlight Highgate Wood’s Bat Diversity

lite News Desk 2 min read

At a glance

  • Highgate Wood is managed by the City of London Corporation
  • At least eight bat species have been recorded in the area
  • Bat walks led by Cindy Blaney began in 1999

Highgate Wood in North London serves as a site for both bat conservation and public engagement activities. The woodland is managed by the City of London Corporation and features regular bat walks and ecological surveys.

Cindy Blaney, who holds the position of woodkeeper for the City of London Corporation at Highgate Wood, started leading bat walks in the area in the summer of 1999. These events are designed to introduce participants to the bat species present in the woodland and its surroundings.

Bat walks, which are led by Cindy Blaney, have become popular and frequently reach capacity several weeks before the scheduled date. The walks attract large groups interested in learning about local wildlife and conservation practices.

Highgate Wood and the nearby disused railway tunnels provide habitats for a variety of bat species. Ecologists have recorded at least eight species in the area, including common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle, Natterer’s, Daubenton’s, Leisler’s, noctule, and brown long-eared bats.

What the numbers show

  • Highgate Wood covers approximately 28 hectares
  • Eight bat species have been documented in the woodland and tunnels
  • In January 2025, 44 bats were recorded hibernating in nearby tunnels

In January 2025, ecologists documented a record number of 44 bats hibernating in the disused railway tunnels near Highgate Wood. The majority of these were identified as Natterer’s, Daubenton’s, and brown long-eared bats.

Cindy Blaney, who is a licensed bat ecologist, conducts surveys inside the disused railway tunnels, also known as the “bat caves.” These surveys contribute to ongoing efforts to monitor and protect the bat populations in the area.

The ongoing bat walks and ecological surveys at Highgate Wood are part of broader conservation activities managed by the City of London Corporation. These efforts support the documentation and preservation of bat species within the ancient woodland and its adjacent habitats.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

Sources and further reading

Related Articles

  1. New discoveries show Neanderthals used ocher crayons, shared saliva with humans, and had diverse diets, altering our...

  2. Recent findings reveal Greenland's rare earth potential, but production faces delays due to regulatory hurdles and...

  3. Victoria bushfires devastate homes and displace families as extreme heat causes power outages for over 70,000...

  4. Archaeologists uncover a rare Iron Age war trumpet and boar standard in Norfolk, enhancing knowledge of the Iceni tribe.

  5. Astronomers use Earth and Gaia data to measure a rogue planet's mass and distance, uncovering insights into its origins.

More on Science

  1. Astronomers have identified Cloud-9, a starless dark matter object 14 million light-years away, which may affect our understanding of cosmic evolution.

  2. A nationwide study suggests that sleeping under seven hours may affect life expectancy, with smoking being the only stronger factor linked to reduced lifespan.

  3. Astronomers have confirmed the existence of Siwarha, a companion star to Betelgeuse, detected through a unique gas wake over eight years of study.

  4. NASA's Artemis II mission, set for February 2026, will send four astronauts on a lunar flyby, marking a significant step in lunar exploration efforts.

  5. Short intense cycling alters blood molecules, affecting over 1,300 cancer-related genes and potentially lowering...