When I started bat work, I remember reading about greater mouse-eared bat. Specifically, that it holds the title for the last UK mammal to go extinct (1992).
This type of depressing fact is all too common for wildlife conservation professionals. So when there is good news, we should take the time to celebrate it. Along with the re-expansion in range for both horseshoe bats, things seem to be on the up for the greater moused bat in the UK.
A surprising discovery
In the early 2000’s, a lone juvenile male was found at a site in Sussex. The bat was fitted with a ring, allowing bat researchers to identify the same bat in future. For over two decades, he returned to the same site every winter. He was always found alone, leading many to question whether this bat species can officially be listed as a resident species: Residence is generally reserved for breeding species.
Good news for UK bats
After a long wait good news arrived in 2023, with a second bat appearing at the same site. If doubling the UK population wasn’t good enough, more good news came this winter. A solitary greater mouse-eared bat was found at Dover Castle.
Well done to all of the dedicated bat researchers involved, we look forward to hearing more in future winters. We’ll let you know when the population reaches the south west.
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