III. Species Action Plans - Newcastle City Council

12. Bats
12. BATS
General Description
There are 18 species of bats
(Chiroptera) recorded in the UK, 17 of
which are breeding. UK bats are found in
all types of habitat, often feeding at dusk
over hedgerows, rough grassland and
wetland features. They feed on the wing
on a range of airborne insects, mainly
midges, caddisflies, mosquitoes,
mayflies, lacewings and small moths,
late into the autumn. They require a
range of habitats including woodland and
woodland edge, aquatic habitat and
associated bankside vegetation, pasture
and meadows as well as hedgerows and
mature trees.
During the summer, bats form colonies in
roost sites, which are normally found in a
variety of buildings, under bridges, in
caves or hollow trees. From November to
April bats hibernate at an alternative site,
generally an undisturbed, draft free, cool
place such as caves, mines, tunnels or
unoccupied buildings and they will tend
to return to the same sites each year.
Recent research has also shown that
larger hibernation sites may also be used
for swarming and mating prior to
hibernation.
Three distinct forms of pipistrelle bat
have been recognised, characterised by
DNA and echolocation frequencies.
Species
Common pipistrelle
Pipistrellus
pipistrellus(45 kHz)
Soprano pipstrelle
Pipistrellus
pygmaeus(55kHz)
Regional Status
Widespread
and common
Widespread
and common
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
48
Pipistrelle bats are the smallest and
commonest species of bat in Britain, but
have suffered significant reductions in
population size in recent decades. This
is the species of bat most often found
associated with human activities, as
summer maternity roosts are found
mainly in buildings.
Current Status
10 bat species have been recorded in
the North-East region, at least five of
which have been recorded in Newcastle
and North Tyneside. These are common
pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Brandt’s
bat, Daubenton’s bat and noctule. Bats
are a difficult group to identify and record
and therefore the lack of definite records
does not mean that other bat species are
not present in the area.
Feeding
Woodland edge,
hedgerows and
gardens.
Woodland edge,
hedgerows and
gardens. Often
associated with
water.
Main Habitats
Roosting
Modern houses
and built structures.
Modern houses
and built structures.