Greater Horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus ferrumequinum
Ystlum pedol mwyaf

 

Photo by Mike Hammet

Click here for Greater horseshoe bat identification.  Click here to view the Greater horseshoe bat distribution map

Status:

The greater horseshoe is a native species, at its northern limit of distribution in Snowdonia. Its actual distribution is not fully known and it is probably under-recorded. It has a restricted distribution in the UK with its main maternity roosts in south-west Wales, Forest of Dean, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. To date only small numbers of non-breeding individuals have been found in Snowdonia.

The species has European Protected Species status in the UK and is a Priority Biodiversity Action Plan species where it occurs. As with other bats it is threatened by loss of roost sites and foraging habitat.

This is predominantly a cave dwelling bat in Europe. UK nursery colonies are chiefly located in cavernous loft spaces of older buildings and warm cellars but also some mines, tunnels or caves.

The species emerges about 30 minutes after sunset, but at roost entrances there may be much activity of animals flying to check on light levels to reduce predation risk (especially from sparrowhawks). On emergence the bats may have favoured routes along linear features and will often fly 1-2m above the ground at the side of a tall hedge or woodland edge. Once at a foraging site (generally cattle grazed pasture) the greater horseshoe may adopt a hunting strategy of hawking around the edge features for large flying beetles, moths, craneflies, caddisflies and ichneumon wasps in decreasing order of preference. They may also choose a bare twig to hang from and scan for passing prey which they intercept like a flycatcher. These perches may be used night after night so that a pile of discarded beetle wing cases and moth wings accumulate underneath.

Summer roosts may consist of immature and breeding females and a small number of immature males (in mid-July 150-350 adults may be found at the main UK maternity roosts). Solitary mature males hold mating roosts with 1 – 8 adult females in autumn. In winter the bats may disperse to a large number of underground sites, sometimes undertaking long distance movements. A young male bat rung in the Forest of Dean was relocated in a mine used as a hibernation site in the Conwy valley, some 200 miles to the north-west.

The greatest recorded longevity for this species is 30 years.