Wildlife

UK Noctule Bat Conservation and Tree Roosts

Conservation of the noctule bat in UK woodland and urban habitats and the importance of tree cavities.

Key Facts

Noctule bats are the UK's largest bat species, often seen flying high at dusk
They roost in tree cavities including woodpecker holes and hollow trunks
Loss of old trees removes essential roosting habitat for noctule bats
Noctules are powerful fliers and can travel long distances to feeding areas
UK bat populations are protected under Conservation of Habitats Regulations

Welfare Considerations

Noctule bats face welfare risks from loss of tree cavity roost sites, with ancient tree conservation and bat box provision delivering direct welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Advocate for veteran tree protection in parks and woodlands
Install bat boxes suitable for noctule bats in woodland settings
Support the Bat Conservation Trust monitoring and conservation programmes