Wollaton Park Bats – Friends of Wollaton Park

Nine bat species have been recorded in Wollaton Park, a significant number considering it represents three-quarters of the twelve species resident in Nottinghamshire and half of the eighteen found across the UK.

This high diversity is attributed to the park’s abundant insect and invertebrate populations, sustained by its old native trees, extensive acid grasslands, and a large lake. Furthermore, the park offers varied roosting sites, including old woodpecker holes and other tree cavities, roof spaces of some buildings, and brick structures like the ha-has and ice-house.

The nine species identified are:

Common, Soprano, and Nathusius’s Pipistrelles: These three species breed in crevices in brickwork and similar structures and primarily feed on smaller insects such as midges and mosquitoes. Remarkably, a single pipistrelle can consume up to 3,500 of these insects in a single night.

Brown Long-eared Bat: A large colony resides in the Industrial Museum’s roof space, monitored by live infra-red cameras transmitting to the Wildlife of Wollaton Park Gallery¹. These bats forage in the park’s woodlands and can uniquely hover to pick insects from the leaves of oak and other trees, in addition to catching insects on the wing like other bat species.
Whiskered and Brandt’s Bats: These two closely related species, reliably distinguished only through close examination, have both been positively identified in the park. They roost in trees and buildings and prey on small flying insects.
Daubenton’s Bat: Larger than the previously mentioned species, the Daubenton’s bat is a specialist in feeding low over water, using its large feet to pick insects off the surface. They are frequently observed feeding over lake on summer evenings and roost in tree cavities or sometimes in cavities in stonework or brickwork.
Natterer’s Bat: Similar in size to the Daubenton’s bat, this species also often feeds near water. A roost has been identified in a cavity within one of the park’s ha-has.
Noctule: The largest bat recorded in the park, about the size of a hamster, the Noctule roosts in old woodpecker holes in some of the park’s trees. Emerging earlier than most other species, sometimes before sunset, it appears starling-sized in flight and feeds on larger insects such as cockchafer beetles, which are common on the park’s grasslands.