Threats to Bats
Sadly, our UK bat populations have declined considerably during the past century. They are still under threat from factors such as:
Building and development work affecting roosts
Many bat species roost in buildings and so are extremely vulnerable to the acitivies of humans. Bats in buildings are under direct threat if they are present whilst works are underway or if a demolition is taking place. Bats disturbed at a particularly sensitive time of year such as during hibernation in winter or when young bats are being raised in the summer can have hugely detrimental impacts on local bat populations.
All bats and their roosts are protected by law, so before doing any works to your property you must seek advice from your SNCO.
Other potential threats relating to the built environment include:
Loss of feeding habitats and flightlines
The decrease in bat numbers mirrors the ever-changing countryside. Natural habitats such as hedgerows, woodlands and ponds have been declining and fragmenting. It is important that we create new suitable habitats and manage and enhance existing habitats to aid in the recovery of bat populations to our countryside.
In our cities, you can help to encourage bats by putting up bat boxes, growing specific plants to attract insects and making ponds.
Loss of habitat, the use of pesticides and intensive farming practices have lead to a reduction in the abundance of insects which the bats rely on as their only food source. For example the change from hay making to silage, has meant that many insects do not reach adulthood so there are less flying adults available. Changes in climate may also influence insect life cycles and so this may affect when bats can feed.
