An unprecedented number of visitors, for the month of October 2025.
Bat Detector Reviews
Welcome! I've tested and reviewed over 40 different bat detectors here...More than anyone else in the world. I've also started to officially review books about bats & bat acoustics.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Friday, November 21, 2025
Book Review: 'QGIS for Ecologists - An Introduction to Mapping for Ecological Surveys'
'QGIS for Ecologists An Introduction to Mapping for Ecological Surveys'
How does one review a guidebook to mapping software? Well, the short answer is it’s not easy.
This, coming from someone who studied similar books on software, computer networking, etc., for close to 15 years (in the past).
To begin with, I focused my attention on how concise, easily readable, useful, and how easy it was to retain the information. As well as how easy it was to put into practical practice, when actually working with the software.
Let’s start with a General Description of the book:
If you're an ecologist, wildlife researcher, or environmental consultant looking to master the art of mapping for your ecological projects, this book is your essential guide. Aimed specifically at beginners, it offers a hands-on approach to using QGIS—an accessible, open-source GIS platform—for creating the maps you need for effective reporting.
It covers the fundamental stages of map-making, providing clear, jargon-free instructions that will help you confidently create a variety of maps commonly used in ecological work. Whether you're navigating the world of ecological consultancy or conducting field surveys, this guide ensures that you have all the tools necessary to produce professional-grade maps without the steep learning curve often associated with GIS software.
Throughout, you'll gain practical skills in creating key maps such as:
- Basic survey maps
- Aerial imagery survey maps
- Designated sites maps
- Desk-study maps
- Protected species maps
- Habitats maps
In addition to map creation, the book walks you through essential QGIS functions, including downloading third-party datasets, creating your own data, geo-referencing images, and importing GPX files. Links to downloadable data and resources are provided, making it easy to access everything you need to replicate the processes outlined in the book. The included workflows offer step-by-step guidance that you can adapt for your own projects, ensuring that the book remains a valuable resource long after you've completed the exercises.
Whether you're a student new to QGIS or a seasoned professional looking to refresh your GIS skills, this book is the perfect companion for anyone working in ecological consultancy, conservation, or related fields. Its straightforward approach and practical applications make it an indispensable tool for anyone looking to integrate GIS mapping into their ecological work.
A volume covering everything you need to know to get started working with QGIS.
There are several books on QGIS currently available, as well as guidebooks to using and mastering the QGIS software.
I’ve looked into the other currently available books on QGIS. So that I can effectively inform the reader, as to how this one compares.
The other books, currently available on Amazon (for example) amount to exactly 12 separate titles, when you search for “QGIS book” on Amazon.
I’ve looked into each of them. Out of those 12, QGIS by Stephanie Kim Miles ranks right at the top of the list.
Practical Step-by-Step Instructions
Instructions are presented in actionable steps, such as grid creation, exporting data, and working with designated sites maps. Each segment carefully outlines not only what you need to do, but also why it’s important, fostering greater understanding for users unfamiliar with GIS terminology. The designated sites map section provides multiple methods—downloading basemaps, connecting to online basemaps, and adding boundary data through Web Map Services—ensuring flexibility no matter the available data or user expertise.
Focused Exercises and Guided Questions
In addition to practical tutorials, the book incorporates guided exercises reflective of an educational text. For example, users are prompted to list steps for exporting a basic map or downloading basemaps, reinforcing learning through application and repetition. These questions encourage active engagement rather than passive reading, ideal for both classroom and self-guided study.
A particular strength is the explanation of categorized symbology, a common challenge for ecologists who need to visualize complex survey data. Through the provided screenshots, the reader is taught how to add new fields, simplify attribute tables, and assign survey categories with customizable colors and symbols. The instructions are precise and result-oriented, making the process approachable for users who may not have strong technical backgrounds.
Throughout the examples, the language remains clear and professional, showing sensitivity to the likely mixed audience of scientists, students, and conservation workers. Options for data sources, connection protocols, and map coordinate systems are thoughtfully explained, covering both UK and regional needs.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Update: The Blog has been behind schedule a bit...
An Update Post:
Very sorry to report that book reviews are still far behind schedule, due to ongoing medical issues.
I’m still looking forward to completing a review of this distinctive publication; and posting it up here. Thank you for your patience during this time.
- The upcoming book reviews will begin with a review of this unique book:
Monday, June 17, 2024
Review: The Hi-Sound Compact Parabolic Microphone from Dodotronic
A short review of The Hi-Sound Compact Parabolic Microphone from Dodotronic, Inc.
Neil Middleton (The BatAbility Club) carefully compared this unit from Dodotronic, with one of the "Gold Standards" of parabolic dish microphones: The Parabolic Dish from Telinga, Inc.!
The Telinga Dish (stock photo)
Current price, directly from Dodotronic, at the time of this writing is €248.00.
Saturday, June 8, 2024
The Next Device For Testing & Review Is Here! The Hi-Sound Compact Parabolic Microphone from Dodotronic
As stated in a recent blog post, I was actively thinking about the next bat detector (or wildlife sound recorder) to review.
Well, I had parabolic dish microphones on my mind. So, the first company I reached out to – was Dodotronic. I remembered seeing some very interesting parabolic dish microphones on their website.
After reaching out to Ivano, at Dodotronic, it was decided that The Hi-Sound Compact would be the device to test & review.
It is a compact, and affordable parabolic dish microphone on the Dodotronic website.
The live webinar/presentation/review of this interesting bit of kit, will be viewable to members of the BatAbility Club; on July 8th.
I am happy to report, that Dodotronic shipped me a review sample straight away. And it arrived here in New York this afternoon!
I would also like to take this opportunity, to inform the reader that I will once again, be actively seeking a device to review, for the live webinar following this one. Which will take place approximately 2 months from now.
If you are a manufacturer of bat detectors, and would like to have your bat detector featured/reviewed during a live webinar for The BatAbility Club: Please contact me!
Happy bat detecting!
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Book Review: 'Sound Identification of Terrestrial Mammals of Britain & Ireland'
'Sound Identification of Terrestrial Mammals of Britain & Ireland'
With photography by Sandra Graham
The following, is my "Cliff notes version", of the back cover of the book:
A volume covering 42 species of terrestrial mammal. From the red deer to the pygmy shrew, from the pine marten to the hedgehog. Treated as a single field of study... This volume covers survey methods, the analysis of sound recordings, as well as software. The book includes species in Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
This book contains almost 300 figures in total, each species covered in detail, along with specific spectrogram examples.
In addition, this book allows the reader to access a (downloadable) sound library, with more than 250 recordings. I won’t go into too much detail about it here, but I will say that I found it to be a very valuable resource.
The authors have extensive experience and expertise in bioacoustics, as well as in the sound identification of mammals.
They are also heavily involved in creating tools that use machine learning algorithms to identify mammal species from their calls (quite fascinating).
The image on the front cover of the book, is of a Red Deer stag (Cervus elaphus) calling (by Philippe Clement)
Chapter 2 – Survey Equipment & Field Techniques
- Wonderful tables, which could be understood at a glance.
- Screenshots of spectrograms created in Batsound software.
- QR codes relating to each species covered - they take you to the recorded sound files, and they work a treat!*
- Invaluable bits of information*
- The fact that we wildlife sound recordists (both Pro & non-Pro) now have a handy reference for recording mammal sounds.
- The book is well laid out, well written, and full of invaluable resources.
- I like the way key points of interest, and useful data, are accessible at a glance.
- It's very thorough, sharing all the information I would want, regarding each species it covers.
- I would have liked to see the technical/equipment details on which microphone & recorder was used, for many of the recordings. I say many of the recordings, because to have the gear details for all of the recordings wouldn't be practical.
- Some of the species surveyed are located in other parts of the world.
- Most of the species recorded have similar (comparable) species, in other areas of the globe; ensuring that it will be useful to many.
Monday, April 8, 2024
A Post to Accompany Today's Live Webinar On The BatAbility Club
An Addendum Post - To Accompany Today's Live Webinar On BatAbility Club (on The Microscopy of Pond Water).
April 8th 2023
Below, are some of what I consider the “better” Links…
For some excellent examples of some of the things I wanted to show, visit this gentleman’s site.
Micscape Magazine (microscopy-uk.org) is a virtual online “Headquarters” for all things microscope-related in The UK. It provides very well-organized resources for learning more about the world of microscopy - I can’t recommend it enough!
Here is a wonderful online document; which basically provides a concise education on microscopic organisms. Along with their place (and our place) in the grand scheme of things, all in just 31 pages!
Here's a Link with lots of great information available - Including a Microscopy Primer, the anatomy of a microscope, and other topics.
Even more detailed information, and especially brand/model-specific info, may be found at the major microscope manufacturers’ sites. They are: Olympus, Nikon, Zeiss, and Leica/Leitz. They’re often referred to as "The big four".
A Link from Leica
A Link from Nikon.
A Link from Zeiss.
A Link from Olympus.
Below are some direct links, to the various types of microscopes I discussed - From none other than one of my favourite online stores - NHBS! As I suppose is the case with many of you (Naturalists, Biologists, Scientists, et al) I feel like "a kid in a candy store" whenever I visit NHBS... Now, if someone would be kind enough to send me a Gift Certificate... 😁
Stereo Microscope:
Binocular Compound Microscope:
In an effort to demonstrate the variety of colours one may come across - Some pond water organisms I've recorded in years past - YouTube Videos:
There are more! Located in a Playlist named 'Microscopy - Pond Water Samples'
The (free) User Manual for The Nikon Labophot microscope (the one I currently use).
A YouTube video discussing a DIY, cell phone-based solution, for those wanting to see fluorescence microscopy. It's a fairly recent video, posted only 4 months ago.
Now, if you've made it all the way through this post, to this point - You deserve to see the following incredible videos - You've "earned" it!
Here's a link to a very comprehensive, but entertaining YouTube video, which basically goes through almost all of the microscopic creatures you'd encounter, while examining pond water samples.
It would take years of exploring, to see the diversity of creatures shown in this video. Not only are almost all of the most commonly encountered creatures covered; but they are shown using many different microscope techniques:
- Brightfield
- Polarization
- Phase Contrast
- Fluorescence
- DIC (Dual Interference Contrast) - An expensive technology!
Friday, March 1, 2024
Review: The Ranger - From Titley Scientific
The Ranger is a brand, new, cutting edge, wildlife recorder, which has just been released from Titley Scientific.
Building upon the success of their Chorus and AnaBat Swift Titley has developed a fully customizable, long-lasting, wildlife recorder.
Photo credit: Titley ScientificIt features:
- Three microphone ports.
- The ability to choose from a wide range of microphones.
- With Titley‘s currently available microphones, many different combinations are possible.
- Physical size: 194 x 123 x 50mm (7.64 x 4.84 x 1.97 inches).
- Weight: 478 Grams (16.86oz.) without batteries.
- it may be powered by: 4 or 8 AA size batteries, external power sources, or solar (optional kit available).
- Sample rates: 500, 384, 320, 192, 96, 48, 44.1, 32, 24, or 22.0 5 Ksps.
- Frequency range: 20Hz to 250kHz.
- 2 SD cards supported (up to 1TB each)
- GPS - The Ranger performs daily fixes, and supports GPS enabled transect mode.
- 3 Channels: 1 Front mounted, ultrasonic or acoustic, two sides (acoustic only). simultaneous recording.
- Headphone jack for FD output (ultrasound) and stereo acoustic.
- File Output: Full spectrum (wav), ZC, GPS (.gpx), Temperature (.csv).
The Ranger unattended bat/wildlife sound recorder, has the ability to use many different microphones. Among the commonly selected options are:
- Low-profile, side-mount, audible microphone product code: AAAB028 current price $99 US
- *Remember to always check Titley’s website for prices*
- Omni directional acoustic microphone AS-0 product code: AAB016 V1 $225 US
- Directional Ultrasonic microphone US-D product code: AAAB013 V1 current price $325 US
- Omni-Directional Ultrasonic Microphone US-O V3 product code: AAA012 V3 current price $199 US
- Housed in a camouflage, weatherproof/shockproof (IP67) with tripod mounting hole.
- 2.4 inch color LCD touchscreen display.
- Warranty: Recorder 2 years, Microphones 1 year.
- Lockable security box, microphone, extension cables, power lead, and solar panel Kit are all available options.
- The microphones are indeed “weatherproof, and highly sensitive”.
- When testing the headphone jack, with default settings, the output was very sensitive and accurate. As sensitive as any microphone I’ve ever tested.
- Batteries are stated to last 100 nights (ultrasonic) or 700 hours acoustic (depending on temperatures).
- The Ranger may be configured as: mono or stereo – acoustic, as well as Ultrasonic – simultaneously.
- Chorus and Ranger security box and cable lock product code: AAAB032 $145 US *Please remember to check the Titley website for current prices*
- Solar panel kit for the Ranger (is provided with everything needed). Solar Panel for Ranger or Swift product code: AAA034 $120 US
- Ranger accessories bundle: case, microphone cable, and USB cable product code: AAAB035 current price $70 US
- Informs you of AnaBat Insight software (With QR code).
- Refers you to the user manual (via QR code).
- Firmware updates, Titley website, AnaBat user community, and YouTube channel are all provided via QR code squares.
- Microphone care guide.
- How to start recording with your Ranger.
- Inserting microphones.
- Selecting, recording mode: a.) custom, b.) day only, c.) dusk and dawn, d.) Night only, e.) continuous
- Select microphone settings.
- Information about GPS.
- Final checks, etc.
- Testing/ensuring all is OK using the magnet on lanyard.
- I installed the Duracell optimum batteries to start with. They only lasted about one full overnight session.
- The energizer batteries, I replace them with fared much better: providing several nights of recording.
- Those were replaced with Kodak brand AA batteries.
- The features it has.
- The fact that it can use 2 audible and 1 ultrasound microphone simultaneously.
- It’s robust design (similar to previous models).
- The ease of deployment – easy to choose/preset mode selection.
- The ability to input an Asset Tag Number.
- Ability to set the sensitivity of the attached microphones, etc.
- Being able to set what the voltage level should be, for external power cutoff (the default is 10v).
- With microphones supplied: it is extremely sensitive.
- Creates clean, accurate, recordings.
- Default settings, produced excellent sound quality recordings – well balanced/no clipping.
- Excellent/detailed battery status information.
- Ease of deployment – easy to choose modes – via mode button.
- May be considered relatively expensive.
- Bluetooth connectivity would've been nice.
- Ease of deployment.
- Accurate, professional audio recordings.
- A myriad of customization features, as well as scheduling, etc.
I plan to add some more Ranger-specific tips & tricks to this review soon... There will also be some audio files...either here, or on my YouTube channel.
- Record between 6am - 6pm
- 22kHz sample rate, 12dB of gain
- 200-750 for mid max frequency
- 1.5 to 60 second recordings
- Set their recorders to record at 30-60 minutes after sunset / and 30 minutes before sunrise.
- Set their sample rate to 12kHz - for Barn Owls (24kHz for other owls).
- Often record in 30 minute blocks
- Set their gain to 24db
- Frequency 1.5 to 3.3 Hz
- Detection length to 0.3 to 1.2 seconds
- Maximum inter-syllable gap to 0.001
Back around October 1st 2025
An unprecedented number of visitors, for the month of October 2025. Thank you all very much!
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