VWTImpactReport28Oct2025PT - Flipbook - Page 15
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These signi昀椀cant increases in population sizes have
been due partly to VWT’s interventions and focused
actions, including increasing the range of roosting
spaces within a building, installing structures to avoid
extremes of temperature changes and impacts of
climate change, and excluding predators.
Today’s population of greater horseshoe bats in Britain
is around 13,000 and whilst the population is still a
fraction of what it once was, it is increasing at around
5% per year, demonstrating that the species is in the
very early stages of recovery.
VWT has been a leading light in research
for bats — especially horseshoe
bats and Bechstein’s bat— and their
horseshoe bat reserves have protected
and enhanced key roosting habitats
for these species and advanced our
understanding of roosting needs.
Bat Conservation Trust
Today’s populations of lesser horseshoe bats are around
50,000 in UK and 14,000 in the Republic of Ireland, and
are considered internationally important.
How did VWT make an impact?
VWT’s bat reserves have been acquired to provide lesser and greater horseshoe bats with a secure network of key bat
roosts in the landscape. Often derelict and sub-optimal, the buildings have been enhanced to improve roosting and
hibernation conditions and will be managed in perpetuity to provide suitable conditions year round.
VWT
Impact
VWT Action
Secure structure, improve weather
resistance and increase security
of buildings
Safe buildings protect
bats from weather and
human and predator
disturbance
VWT
Impact
VWT Action
Improve access points and
create species-speci昀椀c access
Ensures bats have
safe entry and
exit points that
provide clear routes
to foraging areas
VWT
Impact
VWT Action
Design and install structures
to create optimal microclimatic
conditions within buildings
Roosts with spaces to
stay warm in extreme
cold temperatures, stay
cool during heatwaves
and with temperaturecontrolled nursery areas,
helps resilience against
adverse impacts of
climate change
VWT
Impact
VWT Action
Predator proo昀椀ng, including
preventing owls from entering
horseshoe bat roosts
Reduces the risk
of predation on
horseshoe bats or
causing them to
abandon a roost
VWT
Impact
VWT Action
Create a range of internal structures
and materials within buildings
A variety of roosting
structures and
substrates increases
capacity for
population growth
Vincent Wildlife Trust 50 Years Impact Report 2025
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