Common Pipistrelle - The most common species in the UK and also the smallest weighing approximately 5g and a wingspan of about 20cm. Well adapted to urban habitats so likely to be the bat you see flying in your garden. Roosts in crevices in trees and buildings. Fast, acrobatic flier which feeds along woodland edges.

 

Soprano Pipistrelle - Very similar to common pipistrelles in size and weight. Also well adapted to urban areas but more associated with aquatic habitats. Roosts in crevices in trees and buildings. Fast, acrobatic flier which feeds along woodland edges.

 

Nathusius' Pipistrelle - A rare migratory bat in the UK, though records have increased in recent years. Larger than the more common pipistrelle species it weighs about 8g and has a wingspan of about 23cm. Heavily associated with large bodies of water and believed to use these when navigating their way to the UK from eastern Europe. 

 

Brown Long-eared Bat - A medium-sized bat weighing about 8g. This species is fairly common and widespread across the country although is possibly under-recorded due to its quiet echolocation calls. It tends to roost in loft voids but forages in woodlands. It has a fluttery flight and avoids noisy/lit areas.

 

Noctule - One of the largest species in the UK it weighs approximately 30g and has a wingspan of up to 40cm. Flies high in open areas and will dive down to catch its prey of beetles and bugs. Roosts in trees, especially old woodpecker holes. 

 

Leisler's Bat - Very similar to but smaller than a noctule. Slightly smaller and less common than noctules they roost in buildings as well as trees.

 

Natterer's Bat - A medium-sized bat that is associated with roosting in churches and barns. This bat also forages in woodland feeding on flies, small moths and beetles.

 

Serotine - One of the UK's largest bats with a peak weight of 35g and a wingspan of up to 38cm. One of the less common species it only occurs in the south of the country where it roosts in churches and other old buildings. It tends to forage at the top of trees and closely flies along lines of vegetation where it will sometimes pick insects of leaves.

 

Barbastelle - A medium-sized bat which is very rare across the country. It is highly associated with roosting and foraging within woodlands and tends to forage across a large area so may use a number of connected woodlands in one night.