The Brilliance of Bats!

01/15/21 • 50 min

I was delighted to speak with Kit Stoner, CEO of the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) about one of my favourite groups of animals, bats! Often misunderstood and vilified, bats are a fascinating and extremely important group of animals globally. And in a year where bats have received somewhat of a bad rep and perhaps unwarranted blame for the Covid-19 pandemic, we settle the score on this and many other misconceptions about these incredible creature, the only mammals capable of true flight.

From what they eat to where they live, practical advice if you find a bat or have them living in your home, how bat research is benefiting us in terms of medical science and technology right through to the conservation status of bats in Britain, Kit is a mine of information. And surprisingly when it comes to the depressing trend of biodiversity in crisis, some of our bat species appear to be bouncing back. An all too rare good news story in nature conservation that we need right now.

Have a listen and I guarantee you'll learn some amazing bat facts that you didn't know before.

Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCormack, co-produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose.

All costs of production have been self funded. If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to tip me by buying me a coffee you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/seanswildlife.

If you would like to sponsor a future episode of Sean's Wild Life please email [email protected] and visit www.drseanmccormack.com to learn more about Sean's work.

Cover photo credit: Common Pipistrelle by Hugh Clark, purchased via donation to BCT.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have a listen and I guarantee you'll learn some amazing bat facts that you didn't know before.

Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCormack, co-produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose.

All costs of production have been self funded. If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to tip me by buying me a coffee you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/seanswildlife.

If you would like to sponsor a future episode of Sean's Wild Life please email [email protected] and visit www.drseanmccormack.com to learn more about Sean's work.

Cover photo credit: Common Pipistrelle by Hugh Clark, purchased via donation to BCT.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Farmer Ben's Nature Friendly Farming

After a long time talking about it, I pay a visit to Ben Andrews' organic farm in rural Herefordshire to get the scoop on organic Vs conventional agriculture, countryside stewardship especially farmers' roles and how we can produce food in a nature friendly way that isn't as harmful to the climate and environment. We also get into a meaty discussion about veganism and food trends, dissect the gluten intolerance myth, explore agroecology and regenerative agriculture, and lots more besides.

We're out in a windy field at the start, so there's a little crackling on the audio, but bear with it. We get into the shelter of Ben's buggy soon enough for a tour of the farm and the sound quality gets much better. Ben's intrepid pups Barney and Percy interrupt proceedings once or twice too. Come along for the tour, it's almost like you're down on the farm with Farmer Ben and I in real life!

Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCormack, co-produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose.

All costs of production have been self funded. If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to tip me by buying me a coffee you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/seanswildlife.

If you would like to sponsor a future episode of Sean's Wild Life please email [email protected] and visit www.drseanmccormack.com to learn more about Sean's work.

Cover photo credit: Ben Andrews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

A Life Less Ordinary

I speak with Matthew and Charis Watkinson about their off grid life in the Welsh countryside, and what prompted them to turn their back on the trappings of modern life for as remote and self sufficient an existence as they could. Having recently featured on Ben Fogle's 'New Lives in the Wild' on Channel 5, the pair have been overwhelmed with the interest in the life and enterprise they have created at Beeview Farm.

Both ex-veterinarians, I chat to Matthew and Charis about the challenges of the profession which I know all too well myself, having left clinical practice for an industry consultancy role back in 2016. The struggles of the job and emotional demands saw Matthew make a rather controversial departure from the profession 11 years ago. Something which he is still being criticised for to this day, and which flared up again on certain veterinary online forums following the screening of the documentary.

I hope that this podcast gives listeners a chance to hear the Watkinson's points of view and reflect on the issues within the vet profession, as well as the impact it can have on those who have dedicated their lives to it but find themselves at odds with the day to day realities of what it expects of them.

Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCormack, co-produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose.

All costs of production have been self funded. If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to tip me by buying me a coffee you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/seanswildlife.

If you would like to sponsor a future episode of Sean's Wild Life please email [email protected] and visit www.drseanmccormack.com to learn more about Sean's work.

Cover photo credit: Matthew and Charis Watkinson, Beeview Farm Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.