As part of the 2019 Horsham Year of Culture I worked with a group of volunteers and wardens to build the Bat Bothy, in 2022 I was invited by the Friends of Warnham to come back and build a second Bat Roost. The second Roost is the same size as the first Bothy but has the opposite curve to describe its form, this results in a chimney shape once again referencing the history of iron working at the site.

The material for the Bat Stack is reclaimed Horsham Stone, removed from paved areas of Horsham The rough stone construction is reminiscent of ancient stacked stone structures like Cairn’s and Broch’s. Cairns are a mound of rough stones built as a memorial or landmark, typically on a hilltop or skyline. Broch’s are prehistoric circular stone towers in north Scotland.

This chimney shaped Bat Stack is located at the very far end of Warnham Nature Reserve. Like the first Bothy it has numerous entrances large enough for the intended residents. Daubenton bats are mostly found in woodlands and always choose roosts close to water sources such as rivers or ponds. Summer colonies are typically formed in caves, tunnels, cellars, mines, and underneath bridges. The interior is a tall narrow cave criss-crossed with hanging bars, the walls are a network of fissures and ledges.

The Bat Bothies were built by Will Nash with staff from Warnham Nature Reserve and volunteers from the Horsham Green Gym, an independent volunteer nature conservation group run by its members, with support from Horsham District Council.

Warnham Local Nature Reserve is just a 30-minute walk from Horsham town centre, is a haven for wildlife.  Home to over 3000 individual species, the diverse mix of habitats attracts a wealth of flora and and fauna.

Warnham Road, Horsham, RH12 2RA.