"Horror movies haven't helped--bats have a reputation for being EVIL blood-sucking creatures that will attack you as soon as they look at you...."
Mary is an enthusiastic person with a great interest in wildlife, gardening, conservation and travel.I became involved with bat conservation in 1990 when we formed the Staffordshire Bat Group. If anyone wants anymore information about bats, please visit the website at: www.staffsbatgroup.org.uk. Inside Lives has been very enjoyable and instructional.
A few years ago I found myself standing in this mans bedroom ....I was there as a licensed bat worker to reassure him about the bats in his loft. He feared that they were 3 feet long and that they would all fall through the ceiling when he was in bed! People have some funny ideas about bats. Horror movies haven't helped--bats have a reputation for being EVIL blood-sucking creatures that will attack you as soon as look at you.... Nothing could be further from the truth. So, in my role as Bat Woman, I showed this man the bat I had gently taken out of his loft and was holding in my hand. He saw what tiny creatures they really are. I explained that they only feed on insects and would do no harm to him or his house. They just want somewhere to hang out during the day. Ive been in homes across the county, large and small. Ive scrambled around in lofts, cellars and caves looking for bats and I've got to know a lot of batty people by going to meetings and weekend conferences. Ive led bat walks, all over Staffordshire, using a bat detector to listen to the clicks of the bats as they feed and fly around. Every summer, at home and away on holidays I always have my bat detector with me. On warm summer evenings, I sit in my garden, with a glass of wine in my hand, watching the bats fly around the bushes and trees. Im so glad that Ive done something to help protect these endangered creatures and Ive really enjoyed spreading the word about their fascinating world. | 
