Natterer's bat
Myotis nattereri
Distribution and abundance; Legal and Conservation Status; Population Trends
Description
Listen to how Natterer's bat sounds on a bat detector
Natterer's bat is a medium-sized bat which usually forages around trees and other vegetation, often gleaning insects from the surface of foliage. In the summer months it often roosts in old buildings with timber beams including buildings and barns. It mainly eats small flies, small moths, caddis flies, lacewings, beetles and spiders. Data on the population trends of the Natterer's bats are collected through two surveys: Hibernation Surveys and Colony Counts.
Know of a Natterer's bat roost near you? Find out more about our surveys.
Distribution and abundance
Natterer's bat is found throughout most of the British Isles, although it is a relatively scarce species. The maps show the current mapped distribution in the British Isles on the left and the modelled range in the UK on the right. Maps are taken from 2nd Report under Article 17 on implementation of the Habitats Directive (JNCC 2007).
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Population estimate
Note: The population estimates are considered to be poor and should be treated with caution. Estimates are based on very limited population data and rely on expert opinion only
|
Country |
UK |
England |
Wales |
Scotland |
N.Ireland |
|
Number |
148,000 |
70,000 |
12,500 |
17,500 |
48,000 |
|
Source |
|
Harris et al. 1995 |
Harris et al. 1995 |
Harris et al. 1995 |
Russ 1999 |
Legal and Conservation Status
All bat species in the UK are legally protected, both by domestic and international legislation.
Click here for a summary table of all legislation and conventions relating to bat species
Natterer's bat is widespread throughout Europe and the UK. The increasing trend in barn conversions may have an impact on this species by reducing roosting opportunities. Remedial timber treatment in older buildings also needs to be carefully monitored to minimise impacts on populations of Natterer's bats.
Click here to continue to the population trends for Natterer's bat
References
Harris S., Morris, P., Wray, S. & Yalden, D. (1995) A review of British mammals: population estimates and conservation status of British mammals other than cetaceans. JNCC, Peterborough.
Russ, J.M. 1999. The Microchiroptera of Northern Ireland: community composition, habitat associations and ultrasound. Unpublished PhD thesis. Queen’s University, Belfast.
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