Conservation groups across England are reporting an alarming increase in malnourished bats.

Wildlife experts attributing the problem to the washout summer, which has led to a significant drop in the insects, butterflies, and moths that bats rely on for food.

Organisations in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Worcestershire, Essex, and South Lancashire are seeing a rise in “starving” or “underweight” bats, particularly juveniles, requiring rescue and care from volunteers. In some areas, the overall bat population appears reduced compared to typical summer levels.

The decline in insect populations in the UK has been ongoing for decades, driven by climate change and extensive pesticide use. This year’s exceptionally wet weather is believed to have exacerbated the problem.

“Any decline in insects can have a serious negative impact for all of the UK’s 17 breeding bat species since they all feed on insects,” said Dr Joe Nunez-Mino, spokesperson for the Bat Conservation Trust, which runs the National Bat Helpline and refers serious rescue cases to local volunteers.

The Bat Conservation Trust has observed a decline of over 10% in UK populations of the brown long-eared bat and the horseshoe bat over the past five years. The trust is conducting a long-term study to assess the impact of the climate crisis on bat species.

UK bats face multiple threats, including habitat destruction, increased artificial lighting, and urban development, all of which negatively impact both bats and the insects they feed on. The public can support conservation efforts by participating in the annual National Bat Monitoring Project this summer, helping track bat populations.

Butterfly Conservation, another key organisation, has also noted a “noticeable lack” of butterflies and moths this year, which serve as critical indicators of environmental health.

Dr Dan Hoare, director of conservation said: “This is likely to be because of the wet spring and now the colder than normal temperatures. Butterflies and moths need some warmth and dry conditions to be able to fly around and mate – if the weather doesn’t allow them to do this, there will be fewer opportunities to breed.”

The charity encourages participation in its Big Butterfly Count, a major citizen science project running until August 4th, to help gauge the state of UK butterfly and moth populations.

In the east of England, experts have been rescuing malnourished bats across counties like Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Essex, and Suffolk.

“Some of our carers are looking after 20 bats,” said Jonathan Durward, ecologist and treasurer of Cambridgeshire Bat Group, adding that most are juveniles and pups who are “incredibly” underweight: “They’re all starving.”

According to Jonathan Durward, many bats, especially juveniles, are flying longer distances and expending more energy to find food, leaving them vulnerable.

“It’s been extremely wet, cold and windy around here this summer,” said Durward. “But if they don’t go out in the cold and the rain, they’re losing a night’s food.”

Juvenile bats rescued this summer weigh about 50% less than expected, making them more susceptible to parasitic infections.

“They are a lot thinner and lighter than they have been in previous years. Almost all are in poor condition, not just underweight.”

At East Winch Wildlife Hospital in Norfolk, the number of bats requiring care has nearly doubled.

“We’ve had a high number of juveniles, compared to last year. It does make you wonder whether the adults are struggling to find food and therefore struggling to produce milk for the babies,” said the deputy centre manager, Alice Puchalka.

Meanwhile, wardens at Pensthorpe Natural Park, located 20 miles away, have observed significantly fewer bats than usual this summer, highlighting the widespread impact of the challenging weather conditions on bat populations.

Anecdotally, we’re seeing fewer bats in the evening – but also, similarly, we’re not seeing the butterflies and moths that we would expect. They’ve not been emerging in the numbers they should be and they’ve only got a limited time to breed and lay eggs.”

Fewer insects reproducing this year is likely to mean fewer insects next year, Spowage said. “It’s a downward spiral.”

 

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