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Bats

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects bats and their roosts in England, Scotland and Wales. All bats are listed as 'European protected species of animals'. Bats may also be protected by their site e.g. if their roost or feeding site is notified as a Special Area of Conservation or a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

It is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take/capture a bat.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act requires every Local Authority to bring the act to the attention of the public, particularly |school children.

Habitat

Most bats feed around woodlands where insects are plentiful and hollow trees provide roosts. They are also commonly seen over rivers and lakes where insects gather and the most common species are often seen in the garden at dusk and around street lights.

Bats fly and feed in the dark making high-pitched sounds to guide them.

Like other mammals they give birth to live young which suckle on milk until they are old enough to fly and feed for themselves. Female bats only have one baby a year.

Bat Facts

• There are 16 species living in Britain of which 6 are endangered and 6 are vulnerable.
• Bats are mammals.
• Bats are not blind, however they use the echoes of their high frequency calls to enable them to fly in the dark.
• Bats have excellent steering and are unlikely to get caught in your hair.
• Bats do not build nests but roost in cracks and crevices where they hang upside down, generally in late spring/summer although some species roost in buildings for most of the year.
• Bats tend to roost in modern houses - not draughty and free from cobwebs.
• Most bats eat insects.
• Bats hibernate in winter when insects are scarce.
• Bats can live for up to 30 years.
• Britain's commonest bat is the pipistrelle which is approximately 4 cm long and weighs less than a 2p coin.
• Bat droppings are not known to be a health risk.

For further information contact |The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT).

A new telephone hotline has been set up as a joint venture between |English Nature and |The Bat Conservation Trust. The National Bat Helpline (0845 1300 228) provides information and advice for all those who come across bats.