A bat detectorist from Seaham is concerned the bat population in his area is declining year on year.
Passionate conservationist Desmond Consitt first began using a bat detector 15 years ago, using the device to listen to the mammals’ unique, high-frequency clicking sounds and record them as they fly around in the dark.
He describes the experience as transformative: “It is like watching a black and white picture – as soon as you put the bat detector on and you can hear them, it becomes a colour picture.”
But he warned: “You used to see more bats in Seaham than now, but I don’t know why that is.”
“I still enjoy it, and the wildlife you can find around here is fantastic,” said Consitt.
“I would encourage anyone to get a detector and have a listen.
“They make subtle clicks at first, and as it finds its way it clicks faster and faster.”