UK: rare bat populations are growing in number

by MikeB · May 21, 2021

In the UK, rare bat populations are growing due to milder winters and springs caused by climate change as well as strong wildlife protection laws, so said the Bat Conservation Trust. They said that five of Britain’s breeding bat species are increasing and six others appeared to be stable. This is according to assessments of the 11 bats covered by the National Bat Monitoring Program.

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Bat. Image by Cindy Parks from Pixabay

There are 18 species of bat in the UK, 17 of which are breeding on the islands. This represents 1/4 of Britain’s mammal species apparently. Bat populations have suffered severe declines over the past century but thanks to conservation efforts by the Bat Conservation Trust and more than 100 local bat groups there has been an increase in population numbers as mentioned. The resident bat species in the UK are as follows: Alcathoe bat, Barbastelle, Bechstein’s bat, Brandt’s bat, Brown long-eared bat, Common pipistrelle, Daubenston’s bat, Greater horsehoe bat, Grey long-eared bat, Leisler’s bat, Lesser horseshoe bat and Nathusius’ pipistrelle.

Note: the photo on this page is for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily one of these bat species.

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