Pipistrelle sp.       (Pipistrellus pipistrellus),  (pipistrellus pygmaeus)

The Pipistrelle is Britain's smallest bat and our most common species, especially in  towns. It is found throughout the UK, including the Isle of Man. It is also abundant and widespread in the rest of Europe.

The Pipistrelle has probably declined as a result of modern agricultural practices. Its reliance on buildings makes it vulnerable to renovation work, exclusion and toxic remedial timber treatment chemicals.

Only recently have scientists recognised that two separate species have been confused under this one name. The two species were originally identified by differences in their echolocation calls and later confirmed by DNA studies. Researchers are now busy working to identify any differences in the ecology and behaviour of the two species.