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1995, The Netherlands: Limpens and others 1997). Linear features in a landscape areimportant elements for orientation either during foraging or in commuting flights (Eichstädt& Bassus 1995, Verboom & Huitema 1997, Simon and others 2004).Foraging activity is in small areas within about 2 kilometres from the roost. The size of anindividual home range is dependent on the abundance of prey insects and may have a totalsize of more than 50 hectares (Eichstädt & Bassus 1995). Villages can host a maternitycolony particularly if a large water body is at a distance of less than 600 metres (Simon andothers 2004).Abundance: In the district of Marburg Biederkopf in central Germany Simon and others(2004) made a careful investigation of the distribution of the common pipistrelle andestimated an abundance of 24-36 individuals per square kilometre. The estimated commonpipistrelle population in The Netherlands is 300,000-600,000 animals (Limpens and others1997), which gives an average abundance of 9-18 individuals per square kilometre.Estimates of 0.5 individuals per square kilometre in south-western Germany (Müller 1993)and 300 individuals per square kilometre in Romania (Gaisler 1979) seem to beinappropriate.3.9 Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeusForest habitats: In Scandinavia, forests are one summer habitat type among others, but incentral and southern Europe competition with the common pipistrelle drives the sopranopipistrelle to live predominantly in wet deciduous forests and forests along rivers.Summer roosts: The species is found in tree holes, behind loose bark, in bat boxes and inbuildings (Häussler & Braun 2003, Vierhaus & Krapp 2004).Winter roosts: In the flood forests of the upper Rhine Valley (Germany) the sopranopipistrelle seems to be present the whole year (Braun & Häussler 1999), but there are alsosome indications for distinct seasonal migration in other populations (Häussler and others1999, von Helversen & Holderied 2003).Other roosts: Soprano pipistrelle males show territorial advertisement in late summer andautumn. They occupy special mating roosts at this time (Lundberg & Gerell 1986, Lundberg1990).Foraging areas: The species prefers to forage around the canopy of broad-leaved trees (deJong & Ahlén 1991). Thus, it does not occur in large, dense woodlands but forages alongforest edges, river banks or in settlements. In the Mediterranean it can also be observed onthe coast (Germany: Braun & Häussler 1999, Siemers & Nill 2000, Häussler & Braun 2003,Greece: Hanak and others 2001, Italy: Russo & Jones 2000, Sweden: de Jong 1995, Ekman &de Jong 1996).3.10 Nathusius’ pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusiiForest habitats: Woodlands are the most important habitats during summer, and forestsalong rivers seem to play an important role during migration and mating.27