Soprano Pipistrelle

Introduction

Pipistrelles are the most common and widespread of all British bat species. There are two very similar species, common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle, as well as the much rarer Nathusius’ pipistrelle. Pipistrelles are the bats you are most likely to see, as they forage around woodland, hedgerows, grassland and in towns and cities. Soprano pipistrelles have a particular fondness for wetland habitats, lakes and rivers. They appear fast and jerky in flight as they dodge about pursuing small insects which the bats catch and eat on the wing. A single pipistrelle can consume up to 3,000 insects in one night.