The Manx Bat Group (MBG) is a charity dedicated to the conservation, study and promotion of the Isle of Man’s bats and their habitats.
The volunteer group has promoted the conservation of bats since the introduction of the Wildlife Act 1990, under which all species of bats and their roosts are legally protected.
The MBG maintains a database of Isle of Man bat records which is critical in the protection of bat roosts and their feeding and commuting routes.
Bats rely on specific habitats and conditions for their survival. The MBG conducts research and project work and runs initiatives such as the summer roost monitoring project; ad-hoc roost monitoring; summer bat walk transects and the lending out of bat monitoring equipment for research and surveys.
The MBG holds and attends multiple events every year, including public walks and walks for private groups, bat box making workshops and installation events, open meetings and talks and stands at the agricultural shows and Tynwald Day.
Via this work, the group is contributing to the Island’s bat knowledge and this has included the discovery of two species new to the Island in 2018 and 2021.
The MBG supports responsible sustainable development through the provision of bat surveys and reports for clients, including private householders and developers, to inform planning applications.
This expertise mitigates negative impact on bats from development and encourages developers to create positive habitats for bats.
Recent years have seen the erection of bat boxes in suitable locations across the Island, particularly in public glens, to increase bat roosting opportunities.
The group maintains a bat helpine and volunteers trained in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured and grounded bats.
The MBG promotes the Island’s cultural heritage by utilising Manx Gaelic on its website and in its publications.
Its Bat Walk document, available online and at libraries, heritage sites and tourist information centres, mentions places with architectural and historical interest. People who join the group’s guided walks may learn about more than just about bats.
The MBG has a Memorandum of Understanding with Manx Wildlife Trust, another Biosphere Partner, to promote greater collaborative working between the groups, all for the betterment of the Island’s wildlife and environment.
