Scilly has a resident population of bats, and migrants also visit the islands. Pipistrelles are the most common and can be found on all the islands. Being an island population they have unique habits that are still being researched. Sightings have proved that bats fly between the islands and have even been seen clinging onto the Bishop Rock lighthouse!
Once in decline in Scilly and thought to be nearly extinct in the 1980's they are now increasing in numbers. This decline is due to a number of reasons but pesticide use and renovation of buildings were partly the cause. The increase in bat numbers has coincided with an interest in bats within the local community and the Isles of Scilly Bat Group was set up in 2006. This group carries out detailed surveys of bats around the islands to find out more about their habits and roosts so that they can be protected. They have several trained Bat Wardens who undertake surveys for planning applications. The Isles of Scilly Bat Group hold guided walks throughout the year.
Research on bats carried out for the 2008 Biodiversity Audit for the Isles of Scilly proved that we have common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and nathusius pipistrelle. Long-eared bats once recorded on St Agnes in the 1950s and 60s were not rediscovered.
A new study of the pipistrelles bats on the Isles of Scilly made the exciting discovery of a pregnant brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) roosting in a pine tree. The Isles of Scilly Bat Group had contacted Exeter University to help them find out more about bats on the islands. Dr Mathews and her MSc student, Katie Goodman, were helped by volunteers from the Wiltshire Bat Group, the Isles of Scilly Bat Group, the AONB and the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
Brown long-eared bats, which have ears that are three-quarters the length of their head and body, were last seen on the Isles of Scilly in the 1960s. They only come out after dark, and feed mainly on moths and caterpillars. The Isles of Scilly Brown long-eared bat has been given the name of Belinda.
The Isles of Scilly Bat Group said studying the brown long-eared bats would be one of its priorities over the next few years. (Information from BBC News and
the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust)
