The signs, flower beds and footpaths are still there, but the wildlife shift has changed. Beetles and shield bugs crawl along the bark of trees, whilst moths, midges and craneflies drift through the air. Then, a small dark shape suddenly darts overhead. It’s a pipistrelle bat, weaving around the tree canopy in search of insects. The space has not closed for the night; but a different community has arrived. 

Bats are often associated with the spookier season, but in reality they are most active between April and October in the UK. During late summer and autumn, they spend their time building up vital fat reserves in preparation for a long winter hibernation, when food becomes scarce.  

There are over 1,500 bat species worldwide, but only 17 breeding species are known in the UK, with an additional 18^th rarer species recorded in low numbers in Sussex. Hampshire has records for all 17 breeding bat species. Among the most encountered are the Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Noctule and the Brown Long-eared Bat. 

Bats are the second largest group of mammals in the UK, accounting for almost a quarter of our mammal species. They are also surprisingly long-lived, with some surviving for more than 30 years. The UK’s smallest bat, the Soprano Pipistrelle, is so tiny that it could comfortably balance on an adult’s thumb! 

From the pages of Gothic fiction to discussions on planning policy, bats are not always cast in the most flattering roles. Yet there is much more to our remarkable night-time neighbours than their reputation suggests. They play an important role in regulating insect populations, with a single Common Pipistrelle capable of eating 3,000 insects in a night! And bats are excellent indicators of environmental health, as they are particularly sensitive to habitat change. The more you discover about our furry, flying friends, the more you begin to appreciate just how extraordinary they are.  

Alongside colleagues at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, I’ve spent the last couple of months organising bat walks in the local community. From St Catherine’s Hill in Winchester to Baffin’s Pond in Portsmouth, we’ve been lucky enough to identify several species. This is made easier with the use of  equipment called heterodyne detectors so we can hear them too (heterodyne detectors pick up ultrasonic sounds that bats make to navigate their surroundings at night time. This is also known as echolocation.)  

The good news is that you don’t need specialist equipment to help support bats in your local area. By providing food, water, shelter and connected habitats, we can all make a difference. Planting night scented flowers, creating a wildlife-friendly pond, retaining mature trees and hedgerows, and reducing unnecessary outdoor lighting can all help make spaces more welcoming for bats. You can discover more here: Wild About Gardens - Stars of the Night guide 

If you have a keen eye for spotting bats, why not volunteer for a sunset survey through the National Bat Monitoring Programme? No previous experience or specialist equipment is required, and your observations can help improve our understanding of local bat populations: National Bat Monitoring Programme - Our Work - Bat Conservation Trust You could also join your local bat group or volunteer at one of our nature reserves and green spaces. 

By monitoring bat populations, and making our greenspaces a little more wildlife-friendly, we can help ensure that Hampshire's bats survive for generations to come. 

International Bat Week 

International Bat Week is taking place from 24-31 October, celebrating bats and encouraging people to learn more about these fascinating mammals and the challenges they face. 

Sophie Driver
Community Ecologist Intern