Grey Long-eared Bat Numbers Declining

The Grey Long-eared Bat Plecotus austriacus is nowadays confined to small pockets along the south coast of England, including the Isle of Wight. A few of these mammals are also living in the Channel Islands and south Wales. It appears that the breeding colonies are so fragmented that the bat could become extinct unless more work is done to protect it and the habitat it needs. A study published today says that only 1,000 grey long-eared bats are thought to remain in the UK. And the numbers are declining.

There is an area near the river Teign in Devon where between 20 and 30 female grey long-eared bats live in an attic (the males are in temporary roosts elsewhere) while 250 lesser horseshoe bats occupy a neighbouring roof space.

The research was carried out by Orly Razgour, who studied the grey long-eared bat for her PhD at Bristol University. She said: "The two species live in perfect harmony. This is one of the best and strongest colonies of grey long-eared bats, but the population is very fragile. Unless we do more to protect them, they may die out completely. The problem is that the bats' hunting habitats are vanishing and colonies are becoming even more isolated. Intensive farming over the decades has meant that the lowland meadows and marshes that the bats favour are harder to find". Razgour further stated that she was shocked when she discovered there were so few grey long-eared bats remaining and is calling for them to be afforded UK priority species status.

If you would like to get involved with bat conservation then why not consider joining the Bat Conservation Trust  http://www.bats.org.uk