Bats in East Lancashire


Britain has a total of seventeen different species of bat.

There are eight or possibly nine species that you are likely to find in the East Lancashire area.

Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)

Our smallest and probably most familiar bat. The common pipistrelle is most likely to be seen flying around and roosting in houses.

Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)

So similar to the common pipistrelle that it wasn't confirmed as a separate species until 1997. Slightly smaller than the common pipistrelle it often forms large (100+) maternity colonies in buildings in summer.

Daubenton's (Myotis daubentonii)

Sometimes called the "Water bat", Daubenton's can commonly be found feeding low over water skimming insects off the water surface. A common species found throughout our area.

Noctule (Nyctalus noctula)

A tree roosting bat the Noctule is one of the largest bats found in Britain. Emerging in the early evening it can sometimes be spotted feeding amongst swallows and swifts.

Brown Long Eared (Plecotus auritus)

A common species commonly found roosting in large open roof spaces such as barns. Though easily identified by its long ears, the Brown Long Eared can be difficult to locate with a bat detector due to its quiet echolocation.

Natterer's (Myotis nattereri)

Related and similar to Daubenton's bats, Natterer's is a tree roosting bat that can also be found using buildings. Colonies exist in Burnley, Ribble and Pendle. Commonly found feeding in woodland undergrowth and amongst treetops.

Whiskered (Myotis mystancinus) / Brandt's (Myotis brandtii)

Two species of small bats that are too similar to tell apart without close examination. A woodland species that can sometimes be found using buildings to roost.

Leisler's (Nyctalus leisleri)

A close relative of the Noctule Bat, Leislers have been known to roost in buildings. The presence of Leisler's in East Lancashire is restricted to one record from Padiham.

It is also likely that Nathusius' Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) is found in our area, though no confirmed records are known of.