Bats
Bats
There are 18 species of bat in the UK, all insectivorous and protected by law; common species include the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Daubenton’s bat, brown long‑eared and greater and lesser horseshoe bats. They occupy a wide range of habitats from urban buildings, churches and bridges to woodland, riversides, caves and coastal cliffs.
All bat species native to the UK (including common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle, brown long-eared, grey long-eared, serotine, Daubenton’s, Natterer’s, Brandt’s, whiskered, Bechstein’s, greater and lesser horseshoe bats) are nocturnal, volant mammals that occur across a wide range of habitats from woodlands, hedgerows and farmland to urban streets, buildings, caves and wetlands.
Individual species show differing roost and foraging preferences, eg. pipistrelles and serotines readily use buildings and street-lit areas, Daubenton’s favour foraging low over still water, long-eared bats glean insects from vegetation, and horseshoe and Bechstein’s bats are more closely associated with mature broadleaved woodland and complex, well-connected landscapes.
Many populations are locally fragmented and sensitive to loss of roost sites, tree felling, building renovations, lighting, pesticide-driven prey declines and fragmentation of commuting and foraging routes. Most UK bats feed on a wide variety of nocturnal insects (moths, flies, beetles and aquatic insects), using echolocation to locate prey and navigate.
Bat surveys are often required for developments or land‑use change because all bats and their roosts are protected under UK law; surveys identify presence, roost locations, species and population size, and inform mitigation measures (timing of works, retention or replacement of roosts, sensitive lighting design, habitat retention and creation, and the need for licensing) to avoid legal breaches and reduce impacts on these legally protected and conservation-priority species.
When might I need a Bat Survey?
A bat survey is needed when works might disturb bats, their roosts, or their feeding and travel areas. This includes most developments or land-use changes affecting buildings, bridges, trees, caves, mines, cliffs, barns, attics, roofspaces, industrial units, streetlight changes, woodland, hedgerows, rivers, ponds, reedbeds, wetlands, grassland or similar features. It also covers activities such as demolition, roof work, installing or removing lights, tree felling or pruning, vegetation clearance, filling cavities, building conversions, extensions, major refurbishments, bridge works, tunnelling, culverting, excavation or altering water levels or flow. Surveys are also needed when planners, consultees or ecologists find bat records or suitable habitat on or next to a site.
All UK bats and their breeding or resting places are protected by law from killing, injuring, taking, or damaging roosts in certain cases. Surveys should be done early - usually during initial ecological appraisal or before work that could affect roosts, flight paths or feeding areas - to find bats, locate roosts and assess their status. This shows whether mitigation, timing restrictions, keeping or replacing roosts, enhancement measures or a licence (where required) are needed.
Explore other protected species
Learn about other protected species including bats, birds, reptiles and more.