BAT ID
Eighteen species of bat have been recorded in Britain in recent years, fifteen are indigenous, and eleven of these have been found in Derbyshire.Only seven species can be considered widespread within the county and Derbyshire's bats have declined in numbers in recent years, and at least one (the Lesser Horseshoe Bat) has not been recorded since before 1900. The decline is due to:
- loss of suitable roost sites in hollow trees and buildings
- disturbance of natural hibernation sites
- reduction of food sources by the use of insect and weed killers
- loss of trees, hedgerows and other suitable habitats