All About Bats and Owls: Chris Packham Leads Free Halloween Wildlife Talk

Naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham will explore the wild side of Halloween with a free-to-attend public lecture and live animal demonstration.

On Monday 31st October 2016, Chris – who is a Visiting Professor in the University of Lincoln’s School of Life Sciences, will offer audiences a fascinating insight into the mysterious creatures and animals we traditionally associate with the spooky seasonal celebration.

His talk and demonstration, titled All About Bats and Owls, is free to attend and is open to people of all ages. Places are limited so bookings should be made in advance. Visitors will learn all about the flying creatures from Chris, who co-hosts the new series of Autumnwatch beginning on BBC Two on Monday 24th October. He will teach his audience how bats live and help them understand the vital ecological role they play. With support from the Bat Conservation Trust, of which Chris is President, the talk will give audiences the chance to observe a live demonstration of pipistrelle bats.

Chris said: “Bats have so many attributes which tickle the naturalist’s fancy. Many of them look quirky so we are fascinated by their bizarre physiology and, relative to so many other animals, they are inaccessible and this tantalises us as we struggle to know them better.”

Chris will also be joined on stage by Derek Tindall Birds of Prey, who will show a fascinating ensemble of birds including a barn owl, great grey owl, Eurasian eagle owl and African spotted eagle. The free public event follows the recent ‘BioBlitz’ survey of on-campus flora and fauna, which Chris led as part of his role as Visiting Professor at the University of Lincoln.

Chris and students carried out pond dipping, mud and water sampling, bird calling and spotting, and insect and moth trapping to uncover what creatures live in the natural habitats around campus. All About Bats and Owls is part of the University of Lincoln’s flagship Great Minds free public guest lecture series, which aims to provide inspirational insights into different aspects of society – from the entertainment world to elite sport.

Admission is free but prior booking is essential. This season’s Great Minds series has so far included talks from Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, Chancellor of the University of Lincoln and a cross bench member of the House of Lords, and Rory Underwood MBE, one of England’s most successful international rugby players.

For more information about All About Bats and Owls and to book your place, visit the website, email events@lincoln.ac.uk or phone 01522 837100.

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