Nathusius' pipistrelle in Great Britain & Ireland

Welcome!

This site is all about Nathusius' pipistrelle, a rarely recorded bat in Great Britain and Ireland. Nathusius' pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) is a small species found from western Europe to Asia Minor. To date, however, there have only been about 850 records in Great Britain and Ireland.

The site contains information about the life history of Nathusius' pipistrelle, the current UK distirbution of records as well as information on how to identify the species based on morphology, dentition, echolocation and social calls.

Help Update the Database of Records!

Records of Nathusius' pipistrelle can reveal a great deal about the species such as its habitat requirements, behaviour and distribution.In some areas of Britain, such as the south-east of England, Nathusius’ pipistrelle has been recorded all year round. Recent work in Northumberland has shown that the species is present in eastern areas of that county throughout the year. This reinforces the thought that the species may be more widely distributed in the UK than previously thought. Additional records (from any part of the UK or Ireland) may help answer the question of whether the species has been overlooked previously in Great Britain and Ireland or is possibly expanding its range. Please help by adding your records to the database.

Here I provide information on how to identify the species based on it morphology, dentition, echolocation and social calls. An opportunity to submit records to a central database is provided.

Nathusius’ pipistrelle is a priority species under the EUROBATS Agreement and we welcome more research into its distribution in the UK. Due to its migratory habits Nathusius’ populations may be especially vulnerable to badly sited wind turbines.

This site has been developed by Jon Russ. Jon is currently director of Ridgeway Ecology, an ecological consultancy specialising in bats and additionally works for the Bat Conservation Trust as project coordinator of the Indicator Bats Program (iBats).

NEWS: The Bat Conservation Trust's has launched a Nathusius' pipistrelle survey focussing on UK lakes. The results of the 2010 pilot can be viewed here.

NEWS: Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group have been radio-tracking Nathsius' pipistrelles. Download the 2011 report here.

NEWS: Northumberland Bat Group have launched "The Northumberland Nathusius' Project"

NEWS: Join the Nathusius' discussion forum by clicking here.