24-hour Parish-wide BioBlitz Challenge
When: 28th – 29th October: 12pm – 12pm.
Location: Balcombe, West Sussex.
Target: to record 150+ species in 24 continuous hours.
Goal: to raise £250+ for survey equipment.
About the challenge:
Over the October half term, the Balcombe Ecological Society is embarking on a non-stop 24-hour Bioblitz across the parish. From ancient woodlands and damp gill alleys to village hedgerows and night skies, our team will be out day and night documenting Balcombe’s biodiversity. We’ll be surveying everything from fungi, mosses, and late wildflowers to nocturnal moths, migrating birds, and commuting bats. All records collected will be submitted to Sussex Biodiversity Recording Centre and national biodiversity databases to help protect our local habitats.
Free Public Community Events
🦇 Public Guided Bat Walk
When: Wednesday 28th October | 1700-1900
Meeting Point: Balcombe Recreational Ground (RH17 6HU)
What to expect: Walk the village perimeter with live handheld bat detectors to detect and identify local bat passes in real time. Suitable for all ages. Bring a torch and warm layers!
Confirm your place.
🦅 Autumn Bird Identification Session
When: Thursday 29th October | 1100-1300
Meeting Point: Balcombe Half Moon Inn
What to expect: Spotting resident woodland birds and autumn migrants moving overhead. Suitable for all ages. Bring water and warm layers.
Confirm your place.
Why we’re fundraising:
We are looking to raise around £250-350 to fund specialist and general ecological survey equipment. We wish to purchase static bat detectors, bird boxes, and a community field recording kit.
How you can support us:
Donate online: sponsor the challenge via our GoFunbdMe link.
Sign a Village Pledge Sheet: found on counters at Balcombe Club, Balcombe Stores, and Balcombe Half Moon Inn.
Follow our progress on our Instagram and Facebook.
