Pipistrelles

Pipistrelles are among the most common of the British bats and are amongst the smallest species in this country.  In the UK three species are considered to be native, Pipistrellus pipistrellus – the common Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pygmaeus – the Soprano Pipistrelle, and Pipistrellus nathusii – Nathusius’ Pipistrelle.

The former two species were all considered to be Common Pipistrelles until the mid 1990’s when DNA testing showed that they were two distinct species, whileNathusius Pipistrelle was not originally considered to be a native but was thought to be only a vagrant visitor.  Breeding colonies have since been found in the UK and it is now a fully fledged British bat.