Bats are highly adapted nocturnal mammals – the only mammals to have evolved powered flight. Often called flying mice, they are in fact more closely related to humans than to rodents, and form a special group of their own: the Chiroptera, meaning ‘hand-wing’. Bats are generally only seen briefly at dusk and their seemingly furtive nocturnal habits have, over generations, resulted in popular misconceptions and even misplaced fear of them. Modern horror stories, films and the media quoting fiction as fact have not helped to improve this tainted public image.

Britain’s sixteen species of bat only eat insects. Serving as natural insecticides, they consume huge numbers and variety of prey – a single pipistrelle can eat 3000 midges in a night. With the loss of natural roost sites such as trees, bats have adapted to living in buildings and many Londoners are surprised to discover unexpected lodgers for a few weeks during the summer when females need somewhere warm to raise their young. Their reliance on buildings for roosting greatly focuses conservation efforts on people's tolerance and goodwill. Bats are an excellent indicator of the quality of our environment, as their complex ecological requirements leave them highly sensitive to environmental changes. Their serious decline should be a wake-up call to us all.

All of London's bat species are dealt with collectively in this plan because:

Little is known about the current status of most species nationally, although the available evidence suggests an overall decline in populations. The pipistrelle (both species) is thought to have declined by an estimated 70% between 1978 and 1993 (Harris et.al. 1995).

A recent repeat survey in London found that there has been a statistically significant decline in the bat population of Greater London since the mid-1980s, particularly for noctules, Leisler's bats and serotines (Jones, et al. 2000 in prep). Further information on the status of London’s bats can be found in the Annex.

Disturbance, damage or destruction to roosts can occur as a result of a lack of public awareness and understanding of bats, and ignorance of the legislation protecting bats, which often leads to the legal consultation process being ignored.

Hibernation and other seasonal roost sites can be disturbed or damaged for the same reasons as above. These sites include buildings, trees, bridges and underground roosts.

Changes in land use can result in the loss of insect-rich feeding habitats such as wetlands, woodlands and grasslands.

Flight paths to and from feeding areas and roosts may be disturbed through the loss of flight line features such as green corridors, or through introduction of new features such as artificial lighting.

All species of bat are protected in the UK on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981, as amended) and on Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations (1994). The latter further implements European legislation protecting bats. Bats are also protected by the Wild Mammals (protection) Act,1996.

The UK is a signatory to the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe which came into force in 1994, set up through the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (1979). While this is not strictly a legal instrument, as a signatory the UK is obliged to abide by such agreements.

The London Bat Group co-ordinates a network of licensed bat wardens, working in liaison with English Nature to safeguard bat roosts, particularly in houses.

The place of bats in London life is promoted regionally, locally and London-wide by organisations such as the London Bat Group, London Wildlife Trust and Local Authorities through a leaflets and other publications, as well as a programme of guided walks, illustrated talks, training and articles.

London Bat Group volunteers participate in national and local surveys and research, including the Bat Conservation Trust’s National Bat Monitoring Programme.