Wild Wednesday - Greater horseshoe bat
A rare Sussex resident, this week's Wild Wednesday shines a spotlight on one of Britain's most fascinating and rare mammals, the Greater Horseshoe Bat, scientific name Rhinolophus ferrumequinum.
With its distinctive nose-leaf (an outgrowth of skin found on the noses of certain bats that helps to focus and direct their calls) and cloak-like wings, this bat is not only a marvel of nature but also a conservation success story in the making, especially here in West Sussex.
What makes this bat so special?
It is one of the largest bat species in the UK, with a wingspan of up to 40 centimetres and a body roughly the size of a small pear. It's named for the horseshoe-shaped flap of skin around its nose, which helps it emit high-frequency 'echolocation' (the location of objects by reflected sound) calls to hunt insects in the dark.
These bats are nocturnal and feed on beetles, moths, crane flies, and other flying insects. They often perch like flycatchers, waiting for prey to pass before swooping out to catch it mid-air.
A rare sight in West Sussex
Historically, Greater Horseshoe Bats were found across southern Britain, but their numbers plummeted by over 90% during the twentieth century due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Today, their strongholds are in southwest England and south Wales, but excitingly, West Sussex is now home to a small but growing population.
In West Sussex, conservationists have worked hard to restore and protect roosting sites, ensuring these bats have safe, warm spaces to raise their young and shelter through the colder months.
Thanks to the efforts of conservation groups like the Vincent Wildlife Trust and the Sussex Bat Group, a pioneer breeding colony has been discovered in a restored Victorian stable block in West Sussex. This site, located over 100 kilometres east of the bat's traditional range, marks a hopeful sign of eastward expansion and recovery.
These bats are fussy about their roosts. In summer, they prefer old stone buildings with slate roofs, think coach houses, stables, and undisturbed outbuildings. In winter, they hibernate in caves, disused mines, and cellars, often travelling up to 30 kilometres between seasonal roosts.
Beyond their charm, they play a vital role in controlling insect populations and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Their presence is a sign of a thriving natural landscape.
Did you know? Greater horseshoe bats perform a perfectly timed somersault to land on their roosting perch - an acrobatic feat that's as impressive as it is adorable.
Read more here: Greater horseshoe bat | The Wildlife Trusts