Somerset Wildlife Trust's bat expert Nick Tomlinson explains why bats are for life, not just for Halloween

Whether you have a fascination or a fear of these nifty night-time navigators it can’t be denied that bats, the world’s only true flying mammal, are some of the most fascinating and ecologically indispensable animals on Earth.

With around 1,200 species of bat in the world, they can be found on almost every continent in the world, with the exception of the Arctic and Antarctic, and vary incredibly in size and weight.

For example the Common Pipistrelle’s weight is about the same as a 2p coin, whereas the Noctule weighs up to 40g (the same as four pound coins).

They also have quite an appetite - a Pipistrelle can gobble up hundreds of insects in a single night!

Now they’ve played their part for Halloween they’re getting ready for their winter hibernation – a good time for In Somerset we are lucky to have 16 of the 18 species of British bats, so you have a fair chance of catching a glimpse of the furry creatures.

Remarkably however, our bat populations are at risk. With fewer wooded areas, ponds and open grass spaces for them to feed, their habitat is shrinking, exacerbated by the general intensification of land management, and the widespread use of pesticides. The growth in development has also contributed by reducing the number of places in which they can roost.

Even though these fabulous, furry creatures are in difficulty, it’s not all bad news, as there is actually plenty that you can do at home to encourage these cute and curious creatures into your garden or local area.

To make your garden bat friendly, you need to increase their food supply by creating garden features such as compost heaps and ponds as they are perfect places to attract insects that bats like to gobble.

Growing plants with flowers that are likely to attract moths and other night-flying insects is also really helpful - if you can, try using white or pale coloured flowers as they are more likely to be seen by nocturnal insects.

Even though bats find their own places to shelter, they won’t turn their nose up at bat box, placed in a warm, sheltered area, away from light pollution and people and pet activity, as they get easily disturbed.

And hold off on using those pesticides please, be more tolerant of insects in your garden - a few caterpillars will not cause much damage, but they will turn into a juicy meal for a bat.

Best of luck with making your garden bat-friendly, and keep an eye out for them from dusk. The species you are most likely to see are Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Brown Long-Eared and Serotine.

For more information on how to help bats please go to: www.wildlifetrusts.org/bats