Taxonomy
Pipistrellus nathusii | Nathusius's Pipistrelle
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| Range | Unknown |
| Population | Unknown |
| Habitat | Favourable |
| Future Prospects | Unknown |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Unknown |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | N/A |
* Pipistrellus nathusii was first recorded on the island of Ireland in 1996. No breeding colonies have been detected in the Republic of Ireland as yet, however they have in Co. Antrim.
Source: NPWS 2013.
| 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
This species has been recorded on the island of Ireland since 1996 and breeding colonies have been found in Co. Antrim since then. While no breeding colonies have as yet been identified in the Republic of Ireland, records of the species have been made in every province there.
It would seem likely that identified populations are supplemented by migrants from the continent, particularly in harsh winters.
Sources: Russ, J.M. et al, 2001; Roche N. et al, 2014.
Recent colonist / migrant.
Species Biology
Identification
- Nathusius' Pipistrelle is slightly larger than each of the two other Irish Pipistrelles and its dorsal fur colour is a red or chestnut brown with the ventral fur being a lighter brown, often with grey tips.
- The upper surface of the tail is well haired and the fur on the lower side often extends along the wing membrane to the wrist.
- A post-calcarial lobe is present on the tail membrane.
- The pattern of the elastic fibres within the wing membranes differs from the other two pipistrelle species.
- Its flight is similar to that of the other two Pipistrelles but it is not as agile perhaps due to its slightly larger size.
Source: Conor Kelleher / Bat Conservation Ireland.
Nathusius' Pipistrelle's echolocation calls peak at 39.3 kHz.
Source: Roche N. et al, 2014.
Habitat
- In summer, this species roosts in crevices and hollows in trees, bat boxes and deer culling towers. It is occasionally found in buildings.
- In winter, it hibernates in cracks in walls, trees and sometimes caves.
- This bat is usually associated with both woodland and river habitats.
- It is a frequent visitor to farmland and parkland. Emerging from its roost soon after dusk, this species forages along woodland edges, paths and above water, at a height of 4m to 15m.
Source: Conor Kelleher/Bat Conservation Ireland.
As this species has only relatively recently begun to establish maternity roosts on the island of Ireland and as there are relatively few records for the species, its predicted habitat preference in Ireland may need to be revised in the future. Currently the species appears to be found close to large water bodies e.g. Lough Neagh. To some extent this is similar to its European association with wetlands and waterbodies.
Source: Lundy M.G. et al, 2011.
Reproduction
- The species is known to mate from late July to early September when vocalising males, often near their day roost, perched on a tree or within a hole in a high wall, use a specialized call to attract females.
- The males hold territories and mate with several females.
- As with the other Irish bats, the female stores the male sperm in her body throughout the winter and, when temperatures rise in the spring, the development of the young begins.
- There is no fixed gestation period as the growth of the foetus depends on external conditions so that the birth is often delayed during poor weather. This ensures that the young bat is born at the optimum time of insect emergence, usually in June, so that the mother can gain the necessary food energy to supply her baby with milk.
- The young bat, although blind and helpless at birth, grows rapidly and is capable of flight within four weeks.
- Although it is not known how long the young bat remains with its mother, it is thought that she shows the juvenile where to find the favoured roosting and feeding sites so it may be months or even years.
- It is known to live to 7 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 |
| Demolishment of buildings & human structures | E06.01 | Medium |
| Wind energy production | C03.03 | Medium |
| Reconstruction, renovation of buildings | E06.02 | Medium |
| Pollution to surface waters (limnic & terrestrial, marine & brackish) | H01 | Medium |
| Forestry clearance | B02.02 | Medium |
Other human intrusions and disturbances | G05 | Medium |
| Urbanised areas / human habitation | E01 | Low |
| Tree surgery, felling for public safety, removal of roadside trees | G05.06 | Low |
- destruction of insect-rich foraging habitats such as wetlands, riparian woodland and unimproved grassland
Source: Marnell, F. et al 2009.
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 and European level IUCN Red Lists (although it is possible the species is limited to Europe) do not suggest any Conservation Actions for the species.
Sources: Marnell, F. et al 2009; Tony Hutson et al 2007; 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. This species was included in a 2009-2011 Vesper Bat Threat Response Plan.
Sources: EHS / DEHLG 2007; NPWS 2009.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
European although only recently established in Britain and Ireland. Southern Scandinavia to the Pyrenees although some records from Iberia. East into Russia, including Italy also Sardinia and Corsica. Probably most common in Russian part of range.
Sources: Hutson T. et al 2007; Harris S., Yalden D.W., 2008.
Irish distribution
Nathusius' Pipistrelle is a recent addition to the Irish bat fauna having been discovered in Antrim in 1996 and, so far, has mainly been recorded from the north of the island but it is assumed to be spreading as single specimens have been recorded elsewhere and the known resident population is enhanced in the autumn months by an influx of animals from Scandinavian countries. Since its discovery in Ireland, roosts of this species have now been located in Armagh, Derry, Down and Fermanagh and single specimens have been confirmed in Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Laois, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Waterford and Wicklow. Due to confusion with the other two resident pipistrelle species, it is easily overlooked and is probably far more widespread than the present records would indicate. However, the species is also relatively new to Britain where records have been increasing since the mid 1980s. It may therefore be extending its European range into both Britain and Ireland, perhaps due to climate change.
Source: Conor Kelleher / Bat Conservation 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 Nathusius' 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.
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 (2013) 1317_Nathusius_Pipistrelle_assessment.pdf National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.
Harris S., Yalden D.W. (2008). Mammals of the British Isles :Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society
Hutson, A.M., Spitzenberger, F., Juste, J., Aulagnier, S., Palmeirim, J., Karatas, A. & Paunovic, M. 2008. Pipistrellus nathusii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 October 2014.
Hutson, T., Spitzenberger, F. , Aulagnier S., Coroiu, I., 2007. Pipistrellus nathusii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 October 2014.
Lundy MG, Aughney T, Montgomery WI, Roche N (2011) Landscape conservation for Irish bats & species specific roosting characteristics. Bat Conservation Ireland.
NPWS (2009) Threat Response Plan: Vesper bats (2009-2011). National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government,Dublin.Roche N., Aughney T., Marnell F. and Lundy M. (2014) Irish Bats in the 21st Century. Bat Conservation Ireland. Virginia, Co. Cavan.
Russ, J.M., Hutson, A.M., Montgomery, W.I., Racey, P.A. & Speakman, J.R. (2001). The status of Nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii Keyserling & Blasius,1839) in the British Isles. Journal of Zoology 254: 91–100