Wildlife

UK Brown Long-Eared Bat Welfare and Roost Protection

Conservation of brown long-eared bats in UK buildings and woodland roosts and their welfare needs.

Key Facts

Brown long-eared bats roost in attics and barns of old buildings
They are known as whispering bats due to their very quiet echolocation calls
Moths and beetles are primary prey items gleaned from vegetation
UK bat populations are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
Building renovation without bat survey and mitigation causes roost destruction

Welfare Considerations

Brown long-eared bats face welfare risks from roost destruction during building work, requiring legal survey and mitigation before any renovation affecting roost sites.

What You Can Do

Commission a bat survey before any building renovation work
Support the Bat Conservation Trust roost monitoring programmes
Install bat boxes near existing roost sites to increase roosting habitat