For this section of the design process, I will take any observations from the previous section that have highlighted the fact that I need to make time to do further research.

Due to the nature of this design, this research section will form a large part of the design process. Ongoing research will also be added to the “Make” section.

 

Area of research to be carried out.

 

Bats

Learn which bats we have in Richmond and the different habitats where each species can be found and why.

 

Moths

Learn about the local moths and the habitats they can be found.

 

Botany

Understand the local botany.

 

Ecology Surveys

Understanding the requirements for ecological reports. Three areas to start with are:

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

Ecological Impact Assessment

Bat Survey

 

Rewilding

Catch up with what is happening in the world of rewilding.

 

As this is a live design where I am publishing my progress as I work through the design process, each of the research areas I’ve listed below will be added to as I find out more information. I find when I’m researching, my direction changes with each new thing I learn. I might start a research project with a very small window of information I believe I need to understand only to find I need to appreciate something completely different before I can grasp the reason behind starting my focused research subject.  

 

I’ve sat and tried to photograph bats, over the years I’ve watched bats hunt, and I’ve picked up bats that had been blown or washed out of their roosts but I could not tell you which species of bats I’ve seen. Unbelievably I know hardly anything about bats so I’m looking forward to immersing myself in a deep dive into the world of bats.

 

BatChat Podcast

To begin with, I will focus on getting a major download of information by listening to all of the Bat Conservation Trust podcasts. Fortunately, there are 4 Seasons available at the time of writing in October 2023.

Here is the blurb for the podcast.

BatChat is the award-winning podcast from the Bat Conservation Trust. The podcast was designed for BCT members as such it has something for everyone. It is free and we would encourage you to have a listen. It is produced and presented by Steve Roe, BCT and Derbyshire Bat Group trustee, who has been part of the bat conservation community since childhood. Steve talks to lots of different people ranging from academics, children’s book authors as well as local heroes to bring you the stories from across the bat conservation movement.

I completed listening to all podcasts over one week, I'm not proud of this achievement, I was on holiday at the time so was able to listen to them whilst walking and gardening. It is a very good podcast and well worth listening to, I gained a lot of information in a very short period.