Serotine bat  (Eptesicus serotinus)

The serotine bat has declined in many areas throughout Europe. Loss of feeding habitat is thought to have played a part in the decline. Furthermore, as this bat roosts in buildings, it is vulnerable to disturbance from building work and toxic timber treatments (4).

In Britain, bats benefit from a very comprehensive level of legal protection (7). Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure, take or sell a bat, posses a live bat or part of a bat, to intentionally (or in England and Wales, recklessly) damage, obstruct or destroy access to bat roosts. Under the Conservation Regulations it is an offence to damage or destroy breeding sites or resting places. Fines of up to £5,000 per bat affected and six months imprisonment are in place for these offences (3).