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Bats in Suffolk

Introduction

Bats are among the most intensively monitored groups of mammals in Britain, and Suffolk has a particularly strong tradition of bat recording. The county supports 13 species, several of which are at or near the eastern edge of their British range, making the quality and continuity of recording here especially valuable for understanding long-term population trends.

All UK bat species are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Records held by SBIS play a direct role in informing planning decisions, habitat management and species recovery across the county. SBIS currently holds over 14,000 unique bat records, collected by the Suffolk Bat Group and its network of volunteers since 1983.

Suffolk Bat Group

The Suffolk Bat Atlas 2023 is the fourth distribution atlas produced by the Suffolk Bat Group in partnership with SBIS. It documents the recording of all bat species found in the county from the Group's inception in 1983, with particular attention to records made since the previous atlas was published in 2017.

More information about the Group’s work, including guidance for new volunteers, is available on the Suffolk Wildlife Trust website.

Suffolk Bat Atlas 2023

Working closely with SBIS, Suffolk Bat Group have prepared the fourth iteration of the Bats in Suffolk Distribution Atlas. The atlas details the recording of all species of bat found in the county from the Bat Group’s start in 1983, with particular focus given to records made since the last atlas was published in 2017. 

The 2023 edition introduces conservation status assessments for each species alongside the distribution maps and species accounts, providing an up-to-date picture of the status and trends of all 13 Suffolk bat species. Earlier editions of the atlas (1983–2016) are also available as a single PDF from the Bats recording group page.

Suffolk’s Priority Bat Species

Key
Listed as a conservation priority in Suffolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Closely associated with Suffolk’s landscape and natural identity.
Identified as a key priority for recovery under Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Has a Species of the Month article attached.

A night shot of a Barbastelle bat in flight, skimming over water
Barbastelle
A brandt’s bat photographed in daylight, on a lichen covered rock
Brandt’s Bat
A front view of a brown long-eared bat, photgraphed in daylight.
Brown Long-eared Bat
A common pipistrelle bat phographed in daylight, resting on a pale wooden post with a drak background
Common Pipistrelle
Three Daubenton's bats huddled in a pyramind formation, spotlit against grey surroundings
Daubenton’s Bat
A Leisler's bat lit from the front against a dark backgroound
Leisler’s Bat
a classic image of a bat roosting, with its wings warpped aound itself
Lesser Horseshoe Bat
A Nathusius pipistrelle resting on the side of a moss covered tree trunk
Nathusius’ Pipistrelle
A Natterer's Bat flying through an arched doorfame
Natterer’s Bat
A brown Noctule bat resting on a dead branch with a brown background
Noctule
A Serotine bat in flight at night
Serotine
A Soprano Pipistrelle resting on a black gloved hand with a black background
Soprano Pipistrelle
A Whiskered bat on a white stone facing the cameral with a grey background
Whiskered Bat

 

Species Fact Sheets

The Suffolk Bat Group has produced individual fact sheets for each of the 13 bat species recorded in Suffolk. Each fact sheet covers identification, ecology, habitat associations, conservation status and recording guidance. They can be downloaded individually using the links below, or accessed from each species’ own page.