The Dutch night is not silent with a bat detector

A dark shape crossing a park at dusk is easily mistaken for a bird. The Netherlands has eighteen bat species, the country’s only mammals capable of true flight. During Nacht van de Vleermuis from 26 to 28 August, local activities use bat detectors to turn ultrasound beyond human hearing into audible signals. Participants can connect rhythm and direction with hunting and navigation instead of searching only for silhouettes. There is no single national meeting point. The first action is therefore selecting a specific official excursion and checking its age rule, price, capacity and departure location. Night woodland also brings practical conditions: sturdy shoes, warm clothing, tick checks and sometimes a no-dog rule. Counting sightings matters less than learning to stay quiet and reduce torch disturbance.

• The national activity window runs from 26 to 28 August.
• The Netherlands has eighteen bat species and detectors translate ultrasound.
• Meeting point, age, price and capacity vary by local excursion.
• Prepare for darkness with proper footwear and follow dog and tick advice.

Hokimi field note: Save the exact meeting point after choosing a local event. Use red light or the lowest brightness and let children hear the detector before scanning the sky.

Information verified 2026-08-15 · Source 1