Bat2Life

Young Researchers Set Out in Search of Bats at the “Haliarska Dira” Cave 🔦🦇
A true caving adventure took place in the autumn forest near Uzhhorod for young nature explorers who, accompanied by IERS expert and methodologist of the Local History and Tourism Department of the PADIIUN Centre for Extracurricular Education, Olena Osypenko, embarked on an educational expedition to the mysterious “Haliarska Dira” cave-mine.
The journey began with a thorough safety briefing. Each participant received professional equipment: protective helmets and headlamps, transforming the children into true explorers of the underground world.
The entrance to the cave, hidden among a golden carpet of autumn leaves in a forest hollow, immediately sparked excitement. Descending the steep slope became the first team challenge, which the young explorers successfully overcame together with their mentors and parents.
Once underground, in the narrow corridors of the mine, the participants explored the shelters of bats. Using their headlamps, they carefully examined cracks in the rock and intertwined tree roots, where bats find safe refuges for daytime rest or preparation for winter hibernation.
The children experienced firsthand why caves are unique ecosystems with consistently cool temperatures and high humidity, which are critically important for bat survival. They also learned about the invaluable benefits of bats for forest and urban ecosystems, the importance of their protection, and why animals should not be disturbed while resting.
For many of the children, this was their first experience inside a real cave. Despite the darkness and narrow passages, the atmosphere was filled with genuine curiosity, children's smiles, and team support.
Activities like these not only introduce children to the amazing biodiversity of their native region but also help shape a new generation of environmentally conscious Ukrainians, for whom protecting the environment is a natural value.
🔹 The event was held as part of the implementation of the European Union technical assistance project Bat2Life – “Joint Protection of Bats in the Border Regions of Romania and Ukraine through Raising Environmental Awareness among Local Communities” (ROUA00346).
The Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine Programme 2021–2027 is financed by the European Union and co-financed by the countries participating in the Programme. This material was produced with the support of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of the NGO “Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies” and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the Programme management structures of Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine 2021–2027.
Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERSAsociația E-Consult Egyesület Bat2Life

We warmly invite you to join us on 19 September, from 16:00 in Nisipeni, where everyone can find interesting and exciting activities in the world of bats! 💚
🎲 Those who love games can try interactive games and play bat-themed board games.
🎬 Film enthusiasts can watch a short documentary about bats.
🏡 DIY enthusiasts can build their own bat roosting box – while materials last.
📱 Those interested in technology can discover and try out our mobile bat identification app.
📖 The youngest visitors can listen to stories and then solve fun activities from our bat-themed activity book.
🦇 Those curious about nature can visit our bat exhibition and learn more about these fascinating animals.
🤝 Those who are always curious can talk to project partners, volunteers and experts, and get answers to their questions about bats.
🌿 A day together, where play, learning, creativity and nature conservation come together. with bats.
📅 Date: 19 September 2026, starting from 16:00
📍 Location: Nisipeni
, , Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS Asociația E-Consult Egyesület

🦇 Bat of the Month: Noctule Bat (Nyctalus noctula)
Fast, powerful and widespread, the Noctule Bat is a remarkable species of the European night sky. 🌙
Its range stretches across Europe to the Urals and the Caucasus, with populations also occurring in Asia Minor. It can make use of a variety of landscapes, including forests, wetlands, meadows, agricultural areas and urban environments.
🌿 As a nocturnal insect hunter, the Noctule Bat plays an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and contributes to the natural balance of insect populations.
🔎 Did you know?
The Noctule Bat belongs to the family Vespertilionidae and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
💚 Protecting diverse habitats means protecting the species that depend on them — including the bats that fill our skies after sunset.
Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS Asociația E-Consult Egyesület

One of the most remarkable things about this species is not its appearance—but its expansion.
Over the last few decades, Pipistrellus kuhlii has naturally extended its range northwards across Europe. Once considered mainly a Mediterranean species, it is now well established in Romania and has continued spreading through Ukraine, where its northern distribution limit currently reaches about 51°N. This range expansion has been documented in several scientific studies and is considered one of the best examples of a European bat responding to environmental change.
Unlike many range expansions caused by accidental introductions, this one appears to be a natural process, likely driven by a combination of climate warming, changing landscapes and the species' remarkable ecological adaptability. Scientists continue to study this expansion to better understand how wildlife responds to a changing environment.
🦇 Even a tiny bat can tell us a big story about how nature is changing.
Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS Asociația E-Consult Egyesület Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine

Children in Berehove Learned More About Bats 🦇

Why do bats only fly at night? Is it true that they get tangled in people’s hair? And how can we help these remarkable mammals?

Children from internally displaced families explored these and many other questions during an engaging environmental education session organized in Berehove by the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies (IERS).

During the event, participants learned fascinating facts about the lives of bats, their vital role in natural ecosystems, and their importance for biodiversity conservation. They also debunked common myths about bats, discovered interesting aspects of their behaviour, and learned why all bat species in Ukraine are protected.

The creative part of the workshop attracted special interest, as the children took part in a hands-on activity to build bat boxes. They learned about the different types of bat roosts, why these shelters are important, and how providing safe places can help protect bat populations.

Events like these not only increase knowledge about nature but also encourage people to recognize their responsibility for protecting God’s creation. Learning about nature also provides emotional support, promotes rehabilitation, and fosters a sense of peace and harmony.

🔹 This event was organized as part of the Bat2Life project, “Joint Bat Protection in the Border Regions of Romania and Ukraine through Increasing Environmental Awareness of Local Communities” (ROUA00346), funded by the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme.
Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS Asociația E-Consult Egyesület

🦇 Have you ever heard of Nathusius’ Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii)?

At first glance, it looks remarkably similar to two of its close relatives—the Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and Kuhl’s Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii). But if you look closely, you’ll notice a few subtle differences: Nathusius’ Pipistrelle has longer fur on the tail membrane, shorter and narrower ears, and a warmer, reddish-brown coat.

This species occurs in both Romania and Ukraine, where it is typically associated with forests, wetlands, river valleys and lakes, feeding on insects along forest edges and over open water.

🌍 What makes this tiny bat truly extraordinary? Nathusius’ Pipistrelle is one of Europe’s best-known migratory bat species. Every autumn, it leaves its breeding grounds in northeastern Europe and travels to wintering areas farther south and west. While migration distances vary from one individual to another, some bats have been recorded flying more than 2,000 km—an incredible journey for a mammal weighing just 6–15 grams!

Its remarkable migrations remind us that bat conservation knows no borders. Protecting habitats and roosts across Europe is essential to ensure these tiny travellers can safely complete their annual journeys.

📖 Want to learn more? We’ve shared links to scientific studies about the record-breaking migrations of Nathusius’ Pipistrelle in the comments below.
Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS Asociația E-Consult Egyesület Darwin Day # Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine

🦇 Meet the Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) – one of Europe’s largest and most fascinating bats!
The serotine bat is a powerful nocturnal hunter found across much of Europe. It is a relatively large bat, with broad wings and a strong flight style that allows it to hunt in open areas, along woodland edges, and around human settlements.
Unlike many smaller bat species, serotines are often seen flying relatively early in the evening, sometimes around dusk. They are known to hunt a wide variety of insects, including moths, beetles, and other large flying insects. Their powerful jaws allow them to handle larger prey items with tough body coverings, such as beetles.
One interesting feature of serotine bats is their ability to adapt to human landscapes. They frequently use buildings as roosts, including roof spaces, churches, and older structures. In some cases, they share buildings with other bat species, such as pipistrelles and long-eared bats.
Like all insect-eating bats, serotines play an important role in ecosystems by helping to control insect populations. However, they can be affected by the loss of suitable roosting sites, changes in agricultural landscapes, and declines in insect abundance.
Protecting old buildings, maintaining diverse habitats, and supporting healthy insect populations are important steps in conserving these remarkable flying mammals. Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS Asociația E-Consult Egyesület Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine

🦇 For decades, bats in Europe were thought to be strict insect-eaters… with almost no exceptions.
European bats are generally considered insectivores, feeding almost exclusively on insects. For decades, scientists believed this was true for every bat species found in Europe.

Then came a surprising discovery.

In the early 2000s, researchers found bird feathers in the guano of the Giant Noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus). It was an astonishing clue that this bat might occasionally prey on small migratory birds—but there was no direct proof.

That proof finally arrived in 2025.

Researchers from Aarhus University equipped Giant Noctules with tiny GPS "backpacks" and confirmed that these remarkable bats do indeed hunt and eat small migratory birds during their nocturnal flights.

🦇 It is the first direct evidence of bird predation by a European bat—a discovery that reminds us how much there is still to learn about the hidden lives of bats.

📖 The link to the full scientific article is available in the comments below if you'd like to learn more about this fascinating discovery.
Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS Asociația E-Consult Egyesület