The Post-conference field will be based from Pine Creek, 200 km south of Darwin and will take in two nearby locations - Kohinoor Adit and Umbrawarra Gorge.

Kohinoor Adit is a disused gold mine containing Australia's largest known colony of Ghost Bats (Macroderma gigas) which are listed as 'Vulnerable' (IUCN Red List). Despite its international significance, the colony has not been formally counted or monitored for many years to track its status. As well as experiencing the amazing dusk fly-out of hundreds of Ghost Bats from the mine, our aim is to conduct a formal count of  the Ghost Bat colony so that some idea of its current status can be gained by comparing current numbers against counts from previous years. The count will also serve as a bench mark for future counts.

Within the immediate vicinity of Kohinoor Adit there are a number of other mine shafts. Several (> 20) years ago, at least six bat species were recorded from these shafts including Ghost Bats, Dusky Leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros ater), Northern Leaf-nosed Bats (H. stenotis), Orange Leaf-nosed Bats (Rhinonicteris aurantia), Common Sheath-tailed Bat (Taphozous georgianus) and Northern Cave Bats (Vespadelus caurinus). There is some suggestion that at least one of these bat species, the Northern Leaf-nosed Bat, may be in decline across its entire range and, if absent from the mines, is further evidence to support this suggestion. Using Anabat detectors, we will monitor several of these mine entrances to try and establish what species are utilizing these mine shafts.

Umbrawarra Gorge is a beautiful sandstone gorge as well as a local 'hot spot' for cave roosting and tree dwelling Top End bat species. We'll be setting up harp traps and mist nets to see what we can catch. There should also be plenty of time to explore the gorge and have a swim (depending on how much rain we get this wet season).

People attending the post conference field trip are also encouraged to bring new and innovative equipment or techniques that they might like to demonstrate. Please contact the conference organisers with your suggestions prior to the field trip.