Bats

All native species of bats are protected on the Isle of Man, as are their roosts. There are 7 species of bats resident on the Island:

• Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus
• Brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus
• Daubenton's bat Myotis daubentonii
• Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus
• Leisler's bat Nyctalus leisleri
• Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri
• Whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus

These creatures rarely cause any problems to man and many people never realise that they are providing a refuge for a colony in their roof, in an old tree with rot holes or between the stones of an old building or bridge. Please therefore take care when doing any roof or soffit board work, or rebuilding or repointing stonework. Check any holes and cracks with a torch so as not to seal animals in. The best time to undertake such work is spring (April/May) or autumn (September/October). In summer bats are born and cannot fly at first. In winter they hibernate and may leave few signs of their presence.

If you have bats and you intend to do works which might affect bats or a roost site (whether bats are present or not at the time), you should contact the Forestry, Amenity and Lands Directorate for advice.