Can one undertake a round-the-world trip with conservation uppermost in the mind? This is exactly what Nils Bouillard sought to do in 2019, adapting a popular concept in birding known as the 'big year' and focusing instead on bats. This had never been done before and so became the ideal platform to spotlight countless conservation projects across the globe. In this engaging and inspiring account we follow Nils on his adventures - along the way discovering the extraordinary diversity of bat appearances and behaviour, and learning how we might help to protect these fascinating creatures.

During his itinerary covering just shy of 30 countries, Nils was lucky enough to encounter no fewer than 400 bat species. But beyond the impressive list, Big Bat Year is a passionate tale about the people who are protecting bats all over the world, the amazing life of these animals and the unique and doughty journey it required to set a world record. Going off the beaten path isn't difficult when it comes to bat watching, offering the chance for genuine exploration and even discovery - as evidenced by the important discovery of a species new to science while visiting Southeast Asia. This book will appeal to any nature enthusiast, regardless of whether you enjoy chasing new species.

About the Author

Nils Bouillard is a bat ecologist, bat conservation advocate and keen naturalist. He runs Barbastella Echology, specialising in bat sound analysis and training. He is passionate about improving our knowledge of bats through acoustics and sharing his love for these animals with the public.

Reviews

...accounts of racing around the world finding wildlife can be quite gripping - provided that the tale is well told. This tale is well told and I enjoyed it.

-- Mark Avery, author and environmental campaigner

Highly recommended! ...I found the book very interesting, at times exciting, and overall inspiring. It would be of interest to anyone connected to bats in any way; and would also be a great introduction to the world of bats for a newcomer. If you know a birder, who either would (or should!) be interested in learning more about bats: This is the book to gift them!

-- Al Milano, Bat Detecting blog

This book is a unique blend of travel writing and popular science... I found this book to be very engaging and informative with a strong theme of research and conservation. Whilst obviously a good book for those with a strong interest in bats, Bouillard also describes the many birds, mammals and even some insect and marine species he sees, making this book interesting to the general naturalist.

-- Benjamin Hodgson, BNA News Bulletin



Book Information
ISBN 9781784273101
Author Nils Bouillard
Format Paperback
Page Count 232
Imprint Pelagic Publishing
Publisher Pelagic Publishing
Weight(grams) 510g