Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2012 | Page 89

bats

COUNTRY LIFE

BAT FACTS
• All bat species are
considered rare in Europe but
to celebrate their unique status
the international community
has declared this year, 2012,
as the International Year of
the Bat
• All bats are protected by UK
and international law. Some
species are more common
than others.
• Hampshire and the Isle of
Wight have 14 of the 16 most
commonly found British bats.
• The counties are a
stronghold for Bechstein’s,
grey long-eared and
barbastelle bats.
• Two woodlands in the
counties are internationally
important for their bat
populations: Mottisfont in
Hampshire and Briddlesford
Woods on the Island.

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