Scientific Report
Lesser Horseshoe Bat Species Action Plan 2022-2026
Collaborating for the lesser horseshoe bat
The first time the lesser horseshoe bat in Ireland has had a Species Action plan
Started in 2022
Number of counties where the lesser horseshoe bat is found
6
Estimated number of lesser horseshoe bats in Ireland
14,000
Lesser horseshoe bats in Ireland
There are many factors that set the lesser horseshoe bat apart from the other eight Irish bat species and so merit the production of an action plan focused on it alone. It has limited access to suitable summer and winter roosts due to its inability to land and crawl through small openings, needing to fly directly into a structure. Although it does not have a specialised diet, it prefers to feed in broadleaf woodland, a scarce habitat comprising less than 2% of Ireland’s tree cover. Its distinctive echolocation call enables it to fly within cluttered environments but does not travel far, so the bats need to fly close to linear features to navigate through the landscape. It is the most photophobic of all the Irish bats.
This Species Action Plan (SAP), the first SAP for the lesser horseshoe bat in Ireland, aims to guide, inform and provide structure for the conservation management of this important species between 2022-2026.
The plan was published by the Irish Government and was the product of extensive collaboration between National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) and a wide range of stakeholders. The aim of the plan is to guide, inform and provide structure for the conservation management of this important species over the next five years (2022-2026).
Photos: Banner photo and roosting lesser horseshoe bat ©Frank Greenaway
What are the issues?
The most recent estimate of the lesser horseshoe bat’s population is 14,975 individuals. Population monitoring indicates that the species is confined to six western counties, occurring in clusters, with large areas that contain few or no colonies. Two recent population genetic studies indicate that this species now consists of four distinct sub-populations that have developed due to habitat fragmentation caused by agricultural intensification and urbanisation. The lesser horseshoe bat is listed on Annex 2 of the EU’s Habitats Directive and there are 41 Special Areas of Conservation for which this species is a Qualifying Interest.
The actions described in the SAP are those considered necessary to restore this species to a favourable conservation status.
Photo: ©Andrew McCarthy
Working in partnership
Working together for lesser horseshoe bats in Ireland
All the stakeholders consulted during the creation of the plan formed a steering group to deliver the actions contained within the plan, with representatives from NPWS, VWT, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Office of Public Works, Forest Service, Coillte, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Teagasc, Local Authorities, The Heritage Council and Bat Conservation Ireland.
Work is currently underway to review what has been achieved during the first Species Action Plan and to begin developing the second plan.
Further reading
Scientific Report
Using Circuitscape to identify potential landscape corridors for the lesser horseshoe bat in Ireland
