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At a glance
| Size: | Length ~35–45 mm; wingspan c.200–230 mm; weight typically 3–6 g. |
|---|---|
| IUCN (GB): | Least Concern. |
| Call peak: | ~55 kHz (key to separating from Common Pipistrelle. |
| Active: | Emerges at dusk; often forages over water and in canopy gaps. |
Fast, agile flier—frequently recorded over ponds, rivers, reedbeds and woodland rides.
Identification
Very similar in appearance to Common Pipistrelle. Reliable separation in the field is acoustic: soprano pipistrelle shows a heterodyne peak near 55 kHz (vs ~45 kHz for the Common Pipistrelle). Morphological separation requires specialist measurement/genetic testing.
Life history
- Breeding: Females form summer nursery colonies (dozens to over a hundred at some sites). Single pup born in June–July, flight at ~4 weeks, independent by ~6 weeks.
- Mating: Mainly late summer to autumn; males display territorial behaviour and produce social calls.
- Lifespan: Typically several years in the wild; maximum recorded ages similar to other small pipistrelles, so around 12 years at most.
Roosting
Crevice roosting in buildings (roof spaces, soffits, under tiles), tree cavities and bat boxes. Soprano pipistrelles often select roosts close to water where foraging is productive. Maternity colonies may switch roosts through the season.
Hibernation
Hibernates typically singly or in small numbers in buildings, behind loose bark, under tiles or in cavities; less frequently found in deep subterranean hibernacula. Main hibernation months are roughly November–March, but timing varies with climate and local conditions.
Feeding & foraging
Diet consists mainly of small flying insects—midges, small moths and other dipterans. Often prefers foraging over water (ponds, rivers), reedbeds and along woodland rides where insect densities are high. Flight is fast and manoeuvrable, frequently at various heights including within the canopy.
Echolocation
Search-phase calls typically around 55 kHz peak frequency (range c. 40–80 kHz). Acoustic detectors and heterodyne bat detectors set to 55 kHz will readily indicate soprano pipistrelles.
Population & conservation
Widespread across the UK and common in suitable habitats. Long‑term monitoring suggests stable or locally increasing trends where habitat and roosts persist. Major threats include roost loss, light pollution, and declines in insect prey from pesticide use and habitat degradation.
In Sussex
- Frequently recorded across the county, particularly near rivers, wetland reserves and woodland fragments.
- The Sussex Bat Group include soprano pipistrelles in their monitoring.
- Sites such as Knepp and managed wetland reserves often show regular soprano activity in summer bat surveys.
Fascinating...
- There are 3 species of Pipistrelle bats in the UK; Common, Soprano (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) and the rarer Nathusius' (Pipistrellus nathusii). It wasn't until the 1990's that the species were fully separated. More info
How to help
- Protect and restore riparian habitats, ponds and wetland margins to boost insect prey.
- Maintain dark corridors and reduce unnecessary lighting near water and woodland edges.
- Provide bat boxes and retain mature trees with cavities; avoid roof works during sensitive periods without survey.