Bats are not only amazing animals to watch, they are also a good environmental indicator as they are a top predator feeding on a range of common nocturnal insects.
When you see bats flying within the woods and over the meadows in the Forest it is a fair assumption that this is because the land is being managed well and there is an abundance of flying insects for them to tuck into.
Daubenton’s bat in flight at night
In celebration of International Bat Night we are starting to compile fact files of the bats found across the Heart of England Forest. We hope you enjoy looking out for these special forest residents.
Bats found in the Forest
Of the 18 species of bat found in the UK, 13 have been found in the Forest: barbastelle, Brandts/whiskered, brown long-eared, Daubenton’s, Leisler’s, lesser horseshoe, greater horseshoe, Natterer’s, noctule, serotine, common, soprano and Nathusius pipistrelle.
Find out more about the bat species you are most likely to encounter in the Forest’s woods:
Common Pipistrelle Bat
The smallest of all British bats, the common pipistrelle prefers deciduous woodland and farmland near to water. Read our fact file.
Noctule bat
Our largest bat, these strong and fast flyers can be seen flying at dusk, feeding on insects over the tree canopy in the Forest. Read our fact file.
Daubenton’s bat
See this fast and agile bat hunting over our Forest ponds, scooping up insects in its large wings and tail. Read our fact file.