VWTImpactReport28Oct2025PT - Flipbook - Page 17
How did VWT make
an impact?
New roosts
For decades, the local bat group and ecologists
in Sussex recorded a small but increasing number
of greater horseshoe bats — mostly in hibernation
sites within the county. In 2019, for the 昀椀rst time
in around 100 years, a small maternity colony
was discovered in an abandoned stable block in
Lodsworth, West Sussex. This was a signi昀椀cant
昀椀nding since the closest reported breeding colony
was approximately 100km west in Dorset, but the
stable block was earmarked for development
unless the bat group could save it.
Sussex Bat Group contacted VWT for assistance and
collaboration. This aligned with our strategy aim of
facilitating range expansion of the greater horseshoe
bat population by creating new reserves.
“
The number of maternity roosts created
and enhanced for horseshoe bats is truly
impressive. It’s fantastic that this work
continues and to such high standards,
backed up with evidence and research.
Crispin Scott, Nature Conservation Advisor
at National Trust
In 2022, VWT purchased the site for £210,000 to secure
the bats’ future. Renovations, primarily to secure the
building’s structural integrity, started in 2023 through
funding raised by VWT and Sussex Bat Group.
Further funding from Natural England’s Species
Recovery programme enabled the building to be
adapted for climate change with an incubator and
spiral hibernation chamber constructed. The colony
has trebled in the few years since it was found.
Detailed modelling helps us identify key areas of
landscape connectivity, ensuring that we target our
conservation e昀昀orts in these critical areas.
©Andrew McCarthy
Connected landscapes
To help the colony thrive and expand, it was also vital to look at the wider landscape and to create a network
of connected optimal sites for the bats to forage and 昀椀nd new roosts as the colony grows in size. To do this,
we used computer modelling to 昀椀nd the best pathways connecting all the relevant and potential greater
horseshoe bat sites in the landscape. This modelling work suggested a tight network of greater horseshoe bat
sites connected by watercourses, hedgerows, treelines and woodlands to allow movement between the sites.
Using this data and working with new partners, we identi昀椀ed other suitable sites in Sussex to create a network
of summer and winter sites, targeting our conservation actions effectively.
A Natural England Species Recovery Programme capital grant enabled the completion and further enhancement
of the initial roost along with creation of new roosts and improvements to others in connected habitats, to
further help the species to increase its range. These enhancements were based on decades of research and
experience from other VWT reserves, and the sites will be monitored and adapted as the species recovers.
Vincent Wildlife Trust 50 Years Impact Report 2025
17
