Thailand 2019 November trip – painted bats, bumblebee bats, flying foxes and more………. join Merlin and see some of his conservation efforts with the World’s greatest bats and see what makes a unique home for the smallest, largest and most colourful bats on the planet.

14th November arrive , Pongsanant, P’Kwang and Daniel from BatThai will meet you at the airport. Transfer by mini bus for overnight in the Aranta Airport Hotel, 999 Soi Lat Kra Bang 1/8, Onnuch- Latkrabang Rd, 10520 Lat Krabang, Bangkok, Thailand (n.b. you will need this address for your immigration card).

15th – 17th November – depart at 8am and drive to province home of the Painted bats (Kerivoula picta). Arriving in the early afternoon we will meet with the family/farmers that will help us search for the bats; we will spend 2 nights here. In the day we will search the Rice paddies looking for bats roosting in the banana leaves and search for other species roosting in this flat agricultural area.

17th – 18th November – 8.30am depart to Ang-Thong Province. We will spend the afternoon at a flying fox camp in the grounds of a Buddist temple. We can observe the behaviour of Lyle’s flying fox (Pteropus lylei) and at dusk witness the spectacle as they take to the skies. In the morning we will visit another flying fox camp with a more urban setting.

18th – 23rd November – following lunch we will head west to . We will spend the next 5 nights surveying a private reserve to document the species present. Whilst in this area we will visit Sai Yok National Park searching for Bumblebee bats (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) the World’s smallest bat.

 Each day will be spent visiting different caves and catching and identifying the bats in residence.  In the evenings we will be setting mist nets and harp traps and systematically surveying the reserve.  We can drive to some caves whilst others will be on foot and by boat. We have guides to help carry equipment.  Other species present: Hipposideros armiger, Hipposideros larvatus, Rhinolophus pearsonii, Taphozous longimanus and Taphozous melanopogon. Rare chance of Megaderma spasma and Aselliscus stoliczkanus.

23rd November – We will visit one more cave before lunch and then head South approx 200km to Ratchaburi and our final destination Khao Chang Pran cave, situated within a Buddhist temple where the monks protect this important bat site. You can hear first-hand the story of how Merlin pioneered the first conservation efforts for the protection of this important roost over 30 years ago. We will arrive at dusk and witness the emergence of over 1 million wrinkle lipped bats (Chaerophoen plicata) and explore the local night market.

24th November – before dawn we will enter the main cave and watch as the bats return. We will explore a side chamber home to 99 Buddha’s and even more bats. In the evening we will watch the spectacular emergence.

25th November – we will return to Bangkok leaving at 9.30am.

Daniel Hargreaves Version 1 4th March 2019

Kit List

o Passports – spare copy as well o Travel Insurance – you’re responsible for this and it needs to cover caves etc. o Bat detector o Cameras – we will do some still in flight photography and it’s a good place for night vision cameras o Insect repellent o Suncream and aftersun – the weather in Thailand is either hot or hotter o Poncho/waterproofs/brolly – it can get wet we might have downpours so make sure you can quickly keep you and your kit dry. o Day bag – a small rucksack will work best; you will only be carrying your personal belongings and a drink. o Notebook o Binoculars – good to view the flying foxes o Personal first aid kit – plasters, anti-septic wipes, blister pads, sterile water, gauze, pain killers, re-hydration salts, anti-histamines etc o Footwear - it will be warm and humid so you need something light and comfortable. We won’t be doing long hikes and the majority of walking will be on flat ground. Wellies won’t be needed but a pair of wet shoes might be handy. o Hat – keeps the sun off, plus the pee & poo from the flying foxes and wrinkle lipped bats o Water bottle – we will have plenty of drinks available and plenty of stops but it’s good to keep drinking and carry your own bottle. o Head & Hand Torch – remember spare batteries please o Gloves – I use leather gloves to handle all bats, the big ones can bite straight through them so it’s your responsibility not to get bitten. o Clothing – we will be on the move most days so you need enough clothes to last the trip. Really lightweight clothes are best and some long sleeves and trousers to protect from the sun! o Currency – Thai Baht o Plug converters – they use the flat or round ones like the picture.

Reading lists: “A field guide to the Mammals of Thailand and South-East Asia” by Charles M Francis. It’s a brilliant book with lots of information and species drawings etc. The Secret Lives of Bats: My Adventures with the World's Most Misunderstood Mammals. (Merlin D Tuttle)

Emergency contact details: Daniel Hargreaves - mob. 00447786546800 email: [email protected] Teresa Nichta – mob. 216.502.1151 email: [email protected]

Daniel Hargreaves Version 1 4th March 2019