The Bechstein’s Bat is the most endangered bat in England and can only be found in the south west in deciduous woodlands. It is also the second rarest bat in England, after the Greater Mouse-eared Bat. It is believed that only a thousand Bechstein’s Bats exist in the country today.

The Bechstein’s Bat has a bare-skinned pinkish face and long black-brown ears which are broad and quite rounded. It has long fluffy-like fur that is a reddish brown colour on top and grey-white below. It is a slow and fluttery flier, although it can be quite a skilful hunter that can catch moths and other insects in mid-air.

The Bechstein’s Bat roosts and hibernates in tree holes throughout the year and not in buildings or cave-like dwellings like other species. This bat is very rare and you are highly unlikely to spot one, but if you do see a bat in winter it may well be a Bechstein’s Bat because it is the only bat that drifts in and out of hibernation. If you are fortunate enough to see this rare creature in the wild, please report it immediately to your local bat conservation group so you can help to protect it.