Common Pipistrelle

Watercourses are vital habitat for a number of native bat species.

Bats often roost along waterways, using bridges, culverts, waterside buildings and trees for rest, shelter and protection. Waterways, particularly those with flood plains, back waters and bankside vegetation, are a rich source of insect food for bats. Watercourses form a well-connected network for bats commuting through the landscape, particularly important within urban environments where suitable feeding and roosting habitat is fragmented.

Bats occur in and along many watercourses – including the River Sheaf corridor – mostly pipistrelle species and Daubenton’s bat. These species as well as the occasional noctule have been recorded feeding over the water.

Species information

Key Facts

Length: 3-5cm
Weight: 3-8g
Wingspan: 20cm
Average lifespan: 4-5 years
When to see: April-October

Conservation status

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.

Habitats

About

The common pipistrelle is our smallest and most common bat. All UK bats are nocturnal – preferring to come out only at night. They feed on midges, moths and other flying insects that they find in the dark by using echolocation. Common pipistrelles don’t have to look far to find food, whether they live in the countryside or the city!

They roost in tree holes, bat boxes and even the roof spaces of houses, often in small colonies. During the summer, females form maternity colonies and have just a single pup each. Look out for common pipistrelles darting about as they hunt for insects in gardens or around streetlights just after sunset. They hibernate over winter, usually between November and April, but may come out to feed on warm days.Pipistrelles often roost in the roof spaces of houses and can often be seen in gardens or feeding on insects around street lights at dusk. Pipistrelles hibernate over winter, usually between November and April, although they may come out to feed on warm days.

How to Identify

The common pipistrelle has dark, golden-brown fur, a slightly paler underside and a dark mask around the face. Its flight is rapid with lots of twists and turns. The soprano pipistrelle is similar in appearance, so the two can be difficult to tell apart.

Where to Find

Bats occur in and along many watercourses, and have been recorded feeding over water.

Foraging: soprano pipistrelle shows a distinct affinity for watercourses and edges where small flies and midges are abundant; common pipistrelle uses a wider range of habitats but often forages along rivers; Nathusius’ pipistrelle uses larger waterbodies and watercourses as migratory routes.
Roosting & commuting: roosts commonly in buildings, bat boxes or trees; rivers act as linear commuting features linking roosts and foraging patches.

How You Can Help

Pipistrelles and other bats are declining as roost sites are lost to development and pesticide-use reduces their insect-prey. But you can help our bats in your own garden; why not try putting up a Bat box? Pick a tree that gets some sun during the day, but is near to a hedge or other trees. Planting night-flowering plants that attract invertebrates can also be helpful and you can get more information on species to choose from the Wildlife Trusts Wildlife Gardening book. All UK bats and their roosts are protected by law, which means it is illegal to harm or disturb them.

Did You know?

It was only discovered in the late 1990s that there are actually two very closely related species of pipistrelle bat – common and soprano – both originally grouped as Pipistrellus pipistrellus. They are distinguished by the different frequency of their echolocation calls. A third species of pipistrelle, a slightly larger bat called Nathusius’ pipistrelle, is also found in the UK.