Taxonomy
Pipistrellus pygmaeus | Soprano Pipistrelle
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| Range | Favourable |
| Population | Favourable |
| Habitat | Favourable |
| Future Prospects | Favourable |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Favourable |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | N/A |
| Ireland (1) | Least Concern |
| Europe (2) | Least Concern |
| Global (3) | Least Concern |
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Annex IV
- Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix II
- Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS)
- Wildlife Act (1976)
- Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
- Wildlife (N.I.) Order of 1985
Native status
Native.
Species Biology
Identification
The Soprano Pipistrelle is slightly smaller than the Common Pipistrelle but there is much overlap and this is not apparent to the naked eye.
Its fur is reddish and of one colour from the roots to the tip and its skin is pale pink.
A post-calcarial lobe is present on the tail membrane but a ridge between the nostrils distinguishes the Soprano from the Common pipistrelle.
The pattern of the elastic fibres within the wing membranes is also slightly different in both species.
The Soprano Pipistrelle's echolocation calls peak at 55 kHz, which distinguishes it readily from the Common Pipistrelle on a bat detector. This higher frequency has given it its name.
Source: Conor Kelleher/Bat Conservation Ireland.
Habitat
As with the Common Pipistrelle, the Soprano forages along linear landscape features such as hedgerows and tree lines as well as within woodland however it has a notable preference for riparian habitats and it too has adapted to modern dwellings and lives in similar locations beneath roofing felt etc. It can be quite loud and the 'chitter' and 'chatter' of a roost can be heard from quite a distance on warmer days. Roost sites can also take on the pungent, musky odour of the species, if used for long periods. The species is loyal to its roost site and returns year after year.
Source: Conor Kelleher / Bat Conservation Ireland.
Habitats include but are not necessarily limited to;
- Semi-natural woodland (WN) [but possibly not Bog woodland (WN7)]
- (Mixed) broadleaved woodland (WD1)
- Mixed broadleaved / conifer woodland (WD2)
- Building and artificial surfaces (BL3)
- Hedgerows (WL1)
Sources: Conor Kelleher / Bat Conservation Ireland; Lundy, M.G. et al, 2011; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.
Reproduction
It probably forms the largest colony sizes of any Irish bat species with known maternity roosts sometimes exceeding 1,000 animals. As far as is known, the species ecology is very similar to that of the Common Pipistrelle and its longevity is probably the same (the Common Pipistrelle produces only one young, usually in June, and the juvenile is already flying by its fourth week. Many die in the first season but, if the juvenile bat survives its first year, then its lifespan is usually four years).
Source: Conor Kelleher/Bat Conservation Ireland.
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE | RANKING |
| Removal of hedges and copses or scrub | A10.01 | Medium |
| Anthropgenic reduction in habitat connectivity | J03.02 | Medium |
| Wind energy production | C03.03 | Medium |
| Reconstruction, renovation of buildings | E06.02 | Medium |
| Use of biocides, hormones and chemicals | A07 | Medium |
| Forestry clearance | B02.02 | Medium |
Roads, motorways | D01.02 | Medium |
| Continuous urbanisation | E01.01 | Medium |
| Other human intrusions and disturbances | G05 | Medium |
| Use of biocides, hormones and chemicals (forestry) | B04 | Low |
| Removal of dead and dying trees | B02.04 | Low |
| Tree surgery, felling for public safety, removal of roadside trees | G05.06 | Low |
| Death or injury by collision | G05.11 | Low |
| Demolishment of buildings & human structures | E06.01 | Low |
Sources: Marnell, F. et al 2009;Tony Hutson et al 2007; Hutson, A.M. et al 2008
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Conservation Measures in place or in the process of being implemented during the period were listed for this species.
Source: NPWS 2013.
The 2009 Irish Red List of Terrestrial Mammals does not suggest any Conservation Actions for the species. The global level 2008 IUCN Red List assessment suggests the following;
- Adoption of bat-friendly practices in the construction and maintenance of buildings
- Further clarification of its distribution, population size and trend, habitat preferences, and ecology
Sources: Marnell, F. et al 2009; Hutson, A.M. et al 2008
In a 2007 All Ireland Species Action Plan for Bats a total of 37 Actions were identified for all bat Irish bat species
as part of the plan.
Source: EHS / DEHLG 2007.
This species was included in a 2009-2011 Vesper Bat Threat Response Plan.
Source: NPWS 2009.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
From Ireland through most of Europe and western Russia. Possibly further east and south to north Africa but more work is needed on distribution of the species.
Source: Hutson, T. et al 2007.
Accuracy of world distribution shown in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) map below will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held but not shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.
Irish distribution
Widespread and common in Ireland.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to improve our knowledge on the distribution of the Soprano Pipistrelle in Ireland. Should you observe this bat species, please submit sightings to add to the database. Detailed observations will assist us gaining a better insight into where the species is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at
http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php
All records submitted on line can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked and validated these will be added to the Mammals of Ireland Database and made available for conservation and research.
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie
References
Publications
Environments and Heritage Service / Department of Enviroment, Heritage and Local Government (2008) All Ireland Species Action Plan Bats.
Fossitt, J.A., (2001). A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council.
Hutson, A.M., Spitzenberger, F., Aulagnier, S., Coroiu, I., Karatas, A., Juste, J., Paunovic, M., Palmeirim, J. & Benda, P. 2008. Pipistrellus pygmaeus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 02 October 2014.
Hutson, T., Spitzenberger, F. , Aulagnier S., Coroiu, I., 2007. Pipistrellus pygmaeus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 02 October 2014.
Lundy MG, Aughney T, Montgomery WI, Roche N (2011) Landscape conservation for Irish bats & species specific roosting characteristics. Bat Conservation Ireland.
Marnell, F., Kingston, N. & Looney, D. (2009) Ireland Red List No. 3: Terrestrial Mammals, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.
NPWS (2009) Threat Response Plan: Vesper bats (2009-2011). National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government,Dublin.
NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.