| The
Pipistrelle bat |
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| Small
but hungry - the Pipistrelle bat. Photograph courtesy of Dr
R.E. Stebbings |
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The
Pipistrelle bat is our most common, and our smallest bat - and its
numbers are in decline. Find out more about this fascinating little
fellow... |
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The Pipistrelle
is Britains smallest bat which, when fully grown, measures about 5cm
in length and weighs from 4 to 7 grams. Recent surveys suggest that
there are at least two distinct species of Pipistrelle.
They
use echolocation to navigate around objects during flight and when
hunting. In one night a single Pipistrelle can consume up to 3500
insects.
Although
the Pipistrelle is the most common bat, especially in towns, estimates
from the National Bat Colony Survey suggest a population decline of
approximately 70% since 1978.
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| Thumbelina?
No, it's a baby Pipistrelle bat. Photograph courtesy of Dr R.E.
Stebbings |
Why
are they in decline?
Disturbance and destruction of their roosts is just one reason. Building
alterations may prevent access to existing or potential roosts. Some
timber treatments used in, or on, roofs are also toxic to the Pipistrelle.
The felling of woodland, removal of hedgerows, destruction of wetlands
and the use of pesticides all affect feeding habitats and can result
in a reduction in prey.
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How
to make your neighbourhood more 'bat friendly'.
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- Put
up bat roost boarding on house walls
- Encourage
insects for bats to eat by planting night scented flowers
such as honeysuckle and evening primrose
- You
could also build a wildlife pond
- Incorporate
nesting and roosting opportunities within new developments
- Persuade
landowners to plant or improve hedgerows and trees to provide
food and shelter for bats
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All Pipistrelle bat species and their roosts are protected by law
under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is illegal to kill,
injure or destroy bats as well as to damage, destroy or obstruct access
to their shelters.
Biodiversity Action Plan
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s Biodiversity Partnership promotes
the importance of conserving our species and habitats. Cambridgeshire
local authorities, Peterborough City Council, English Nature, the
Environment Agency, RSPB, the Wildlife Trust and Anglian Water are
all members of this partnership.
Biodiversity is described as ‘the WOW factor – the Wealth of Wildlife
that surrounds us’.
The Biodiversity Partnership has prepared Biodiversity Action Plans
for key species and habitats. These plans include a set of actions
that a number of organisations have agreed to carry out to conserve
our wildlife. The plan for the Pipistrelle bats will focus everyone’s
attention on actions that will help the bats survive in Cambridgeshire
and Peterborough.
Now take part in our survey
More about Song Thrushes >>
More about Pond Life >>
The
BBC Cambridgeshire Action Desk has free copies of the following
leaflets:
- BBC
Wild Britain
- The
Song Thrush
- The
Pipistrelle Bat
- Great
Crested Newts
- Sample
copies of BBC Wildlife Magazine
If you
would like any of the above, please contact the Action Desk on 0845
300 10 90 or send an email to: cambs.action@bbc.co.uk
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