VWTImpactReport28Oct2025PT - Flipbook - Page 16
©Daniel Hargreaves
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Horseshoes Heading East — helping a species to spread
What is VWT’s impact?
The greater horseshoe bat is one of our rarest bats in
Britain. Following a drastic decline in number and range,
it is now increasing faster than any other British bat.
VWT’s actions are helping to create a favourable
landscape for greater horseshoe bats by developing
a network of buildings restored as purpose-built roosts
in optimal habitats, which can be used all year as both
summer and winter roosts. As dedicated bat roosts away
from residential use, they offer the bats a long-term
solution to the loss of suitable roosting sites.
VWT is helping the species to recover and to return to
some of its former ranges. The connectivity of the roosts
reduces threats such as genetic isolation, random events
or climate-related threats such as emerging diseases, and
makes the population more resilient. By creating roosts
that allow the species to expand back into its former
range, we are helping to speed up recovery and mitigating
future possible threats.
Greater horseshoe bat range in 1975 and 2018
1975
2018
Why is there a need?
The greater horseshoe bat was originally found across
southern Britain from southeast England to western
Wales but by the beginning of the 20th century, its
range was con昀椀ned to southwest England and south
Wales. This reduction in range was due to a combination
of habitat loss, intensive agriculture with increased
pesticide use resulting in the loss of roosting sites and
reduced abundance and diversity of insect prey.
©Daniel Hargreaves
With legal protection in place, the range
of this species is increasing and is now
estimated at 43,000km2 with small colonies
establishing in the southeast, West Midlands
and north Wales. With a population still only
at approximately one tenth of its former
size, however, the species needs continued
action to help it recover.
As existing populations of greater horseshoe
bats recover and their colony sizes grow,
it is important that there are suitable and
connected roost sites for them to move
into and ensure a resilient population. By
securing and creating roost sites in locations
with optimal habitat and connectivity,
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Work begins to turn a derelict building into
a bespoke roost for greater horseshoe bats
in southeast England.
Vincent Wildlife Trust 50 Years Impact Report 2025
