Species Action Plan
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
Awarded 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 specialized 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 most recent estimate of the lesser horseshoe bat’s population is 14,000 individuals, though 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: Lesser horseshoe bat ©Frank Greenaway
Further reading
Report
Using Circuitscape to identify potential landscape corridors for the lesser horseshoe bat in Ireland
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Working in partnership for the lesser horseshoe bat in Ireland
The SAP outlines a number of practical actions at both a specific site level and at a broader landscape level across the six counties where the lesser horseshoe bat is found to counteract the problem of genetic isolation. This two-pronged approach is necessary to ensure that the three key areas of conservation concern, Roosts, Habitat and Connectivity, are addressed.
VWT Ireland is working with local authorities, land owners and conservation bodies to carry out these actions for the lesser horseshoe bat.
Working in partnership to install bat roosts
An example of a broader landscape action was the Lesser Horseshoe Bat Conservation Project, which was an EIP (European Innovation Partnership) project that was administered by Mulcair Catchment Ltd for the development and implementation of actions to enhance local on-farm biodiversity in County Limerick. This county is a critical link between the lesser horseshoe bats that occur in west Cork and Kerry and those farther north, in counties Clare, Galway and Mayo. There are only 14,000 horseshoe bats within these six counties but, due to changes in the landscape over time, colonies in these counties are becoming isolated, which places the overall population at risk of inbreeding.
The Lesser Horseshoe Bat Conservation Project has provided new and permanent summer roosting sites for the species on farms within a few kilometres of waterways or woodlands that will, in time, increase the chances of this species being able to connect with colonies in other areas of Limerick and possibly even in adjacent counties.
This project worked with the farming community in the Mulkear Catchment to provide the bats with new day roosts and to enhance biodiversity generally. It has:
1 provided permanent new bat roosts on farms;
2 incorporated additional roosting and nesting places for other bat species and pollinators in the bat houses;
3 raised awareness amongst the farming and wider rural community of their roles in conserving this species through training workshops and other educational resources;
4 developed a versatile on-farm model for lesser horseshoe bat conservation that could be replicated in other counties under future agri-environment schemes.
Project leaflet
Mulkear Lesser Horseshoe Bat Conservation Project
The Mulkear Lesser Horseshoe Bat Conservation Project was a European Innovation Partnership Project co-funded by Ireland and the European Union under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 with the aim of assisting farmers in east Limerick to provide new and permanent roosts (bat houses) for the lesser horseshoe bat in the Mulkear River Catchment. Research shows that vegetated rivers, like the Mulkear River, are safe corridors for horseshoe bats to fly along.
FAQs about the lesser horseshoe bat Species Action Plan
The lesser horseshoe bat needs a mosaic of well-connected habitats in which to feed, easily accessed and undisturbed structures in which to roost, and dark areas to fly along. An Action Plan brings together the range of organisations who can provide these conditions. Local authorities with responsibility for roads and urban development; government departments and agencies with responsibility for biodiversity, agriculture, and forestry; and environmental groups who conduct research, monitoring and education are just some of the partners working together to conserve the species.
Compared to other Irish bat species, the lesser horseshoe bat flies relatively slowly through the landscape, which makes it easier for predators, such as sparrowhawks, to predate them. They therefore avoid flying in open areas until natural light levels decline, but they also avoid areas with artificial light. The increase in the level of artificial light in the landscape is restricting how lesser horseshoe bats can safely access suitable roosting and feeding areas.
We conducted modelling projects for four local authorities, which identified some key features or locations that would enable the species to move safely through the landscape. One council subsequently used this information to alter its plan for the location of new artificial lights.
Keep old buildings old and accessible, plant hedgerows, have a diversity of plants in gardens to attract insects, and try hard to keep the countryside darker for bats through the use of more bat-friendly artificial lighting systems.