Over 443 volunteers have been going batty over ‘The Bats in Backyards project’ and Brewarrina, Bogan and Walgett Shires have now joined the bat boom.

Farmers, nature lovers, and families across the state are part of a growing movement of citizen scientists helping to protect Australia’s insect-eating bats.

In its fourth season, the project has recorded 24 species and captured over 516,000 bat calls, which has included nine threatened species, the Large-eared pied bat, Little bent-winged bat and Greater broad-nosed bat.

Insect-eating bats play a critical role in the ecosystem by eating and helping to control insects like cockroaches, mosquitoes and agricultural pests, with more than half of NSW’s insect-eating bats under threat, protection, safety and preservation of these bats is imperative.

If you live in Brewarrina Shire, Bogan Shire or Walgett Shire you could be a part of the Bats in Backyards project.

All volunteers will receive a bat detector, which records the ultrasonic calls of each bat, the data collected then helps scientists track the bat populations to help determine strategies to save each species.

Bogan Shire Council General Manager Derek Francis says the project is more than welcomed in the Bogan Shire [Image A.White]

Bogan Shire Council General Manager Derek Francis says this is a great way to teach both adults and children about the environment and goes hand in hand with the shire's environmental work.

“Although we probably don’t think about them very often, our small insect-eating bats play a huge role in controlling pests, like mosquitos, and maintaining the ecological balance.

“Bogan Shire Council is excited to be welcoming the Bats in Backyards team to Nyngan – especially as this recognises the important environmental work done by our Bogan River Bushcare Group.” said Mr Francis.

Delivered by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program in partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Western Sydney University, organisers are hoping to make a real difference by co-opting help from communities.

Senior Threatened Species Officer Alicia Scanlon says bats are unsung heroes of our ecosystems [Image LinkedIn]

“From Dubbo to the Sydney CBD – bats are calling, and you can listen in,” said Senior Threatened Species Officer Alicia Scanlon.

“Bats are unsung heroes of our ecosystems, they control pests like mosquitoes and crop-damaging insects, saving the cotton industry alone an estimated $60 million annually in natural pest control.

“Bats make up a quarter of all mammal species in Australia – and they’re the only mammals that can truly fly.

“Most people think of flying-foxes, but they’re just 15 percent of the story. The rest are tiny, insect-eating microbats that quietly go about their work each night,” said Ms Scanlon.

Greater Broad Nosed Bat under threat [Image Australian Museum]

“What a great way to involve kids and families in protecting our environment,” said a western area mother of two.

“My boys will love this and at the same time it will teach them about nature and how and why we need to preserve species for the important roles they play.”

No prior experience is needed – just curiosity and a willingness to help. To sign up or learn more, visit Bats in Backyards.