On Sunday 21 July 2024, The Independent published a story entitled ‘Rise in number of ‘starving’ bats seen in England’.
“An increasing number of malnourished bats are being seen across England, as experts warn the populations of the insects they feed on are declining amid a washout summer.
Conservation groups in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Worcestershire, Essex and South Lancashire reported the rise in the number of “starving” or “underweight” bats, adding that fewer of the animals than normally seen in summer are being spotted. They said the malnourished bats, often juveniles, are having to be rescued and cared for by volunteers.“
Our response
We are seeing an increase in unstable weather patterns. The wet start to 2024 has delayed breeding in many species. In a standard year, young are fully grown by the end of July. However this year the young seem to behind. It is vital that young grow fast enough to give them the best chance to develop sufficient reserves to last through their first winter – the biggest challenge they will face. Up to 50% of juvenile bats won’t make it through the first winter.
As bats reproduce slowly, typically 1 young born per year, a low juvenile survival rate will have knock-on effects for populations in the coming years and decades. Nature recovery is sorely needed in the UK.
Extra reading
We have shared some papers below which go into aspects of this decline in more detail, if you wanted to delve a bit deeper into this topic.
- Warm, dry and calm Springs are better than cold, wet and windy springs
- Survival rates of three different woodland bat species
Learn more about bats
If you’d like to learn more about bats, check out our Bechstein’s and greater horseshoe bat species profiles – more coming soon!