Pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus)
Threats
The decline is probably due in part to changes in agricultural practices that have reduced the availability of insect prey (3). Pipistelles are also vulnerable to disturbance and loss of roost sites; toxic timber treatment chemicals in buildings are a particular threat.
Conservation
The National Bat Colony Survey has monitored many pipistrelle colonies since 1978, and Scottish Natural Heritage has devised measures by which pipistrelle roosts can be conserved in houses. Ongoing research is underway to investigate aspects the ecology, physiology and activity of the two species. The pipistrelles are priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP), the Species Action Plan aims to restore the population back up to pre-1970s numbers (3).
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