Scientific name: Myotis alcathoe.

The current population is estimated at just 21,000.

It is one of the rarest bats in western Europe, and is regarded as endangered in several countries. Listen to an Alcathoe bat. Little is known about its range and habits, but it can be found in wooded areas. Mating occurs in autumn and spring, with maternity colonies forming in April and May; between 10 to 30 females gather together, but colonies can number up to 100 in some cases. Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

Our current understanding is that the species is present from Devon in the west of England to Kent in the east, extending north

Bechstein’s bats rely on mature woodland for food and shelter.

The barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus is distributed throughout Europe, except Iceland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, most of Scandinavia, Estonia and much of southern Europe. The highest population density is probably in central Europe. However at the Neolithic site of Grimes Graves, Norfolk and at a site in Kent , Bechstein's bat was found to be the most common species (Yalden, 1992).

The decline in the number of Bechstein's bats since the Neolithic age has been attributed to the decline of suitable woodland habitat in the UK. Bechstein's bat is now very rare in the UK. The latest addition to the UK bat family, only being confirmed as a resident species in 2010 due to its similarity to the whiskered and Brandt's bat species.

There are thought to be around 1,500 bechstein's bat in the UK, mostly in southern England, and very little is known about the distribution. better understanding of Bechstein’s bat’s UK distribution.

All UK bats are nocturnal, feeding on midges, moths and other flying insects that they find in the dark by using echolocation. A rare and distinctive bat with a pug-like face and large, wide ears. Barbastelle.

Evidence suggests the species was once one of the UK’s most common bats, but the loss of woodland across the country has seen its range and population shrink significantly. Hampshire Bat Group is a registered charity made up of volunteer members whose aims are to promote and support bat conservation in Hampshire and to raise public awareness about these fascinating animals. European status and distribution.

Bats need our help because their numbers have decreased drastically in recent years, mainly due to loss of habitat. The Alcathoe Bat was 'discovered' in the UK in 2010 when it was confirmed as a separate species to the very similar Whiskered and Brandt's Bats.

The UK is thought to be the northern edge of the European range for this species. Bechstein's bats hibernate over the winter.

datasets have provided data to the NBN Atlas for this species.. Browse the list of datasets and find organisations you can join if you are interested in participating in a survey for species like Myotis bechsteinii (Kuhl, 1817)