Bats about at One Horton Heath

Recent ecological surveys have found evidence of bats using both the bat houses and bat boxes at One Horton Heath, as well as trees across the development and surrounding area.

The surveys recorded common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle bats, adding to our understanding of the wildlife living alongside the new neighbourhood.

Bat boxes and houses provide potential roosting places, helping to support bats as the development progresses. The findings are encouraging, showing that these features are being used by local wildlife.

A closer listen

Bats use high-frequency calls to navigate and find food, including insects. These calls are generally too high-pitched for people to hear unaided, but specialist recording equipment can capture them.

With recordings from recent surveys, you can listen to examples of bat calls at their normal playback speed and slowed down to reveal more of their sounds…

Common pipistrelle – slowed to 1/8 speed, then to normal speed

Noctule bat – slowed to 12.5% of normal speed

Halloween special ‘mouse’ sound

Supporting wildlife at One Horton Heath

Wildlife surveys help inform how habitats are managed and how ecological features are protected as the development progresses.

Alongside the bat boxes and houses, One Horton Heath includes areas of open space, planting and sustainable drainage features that form part of the wider landscape.

This Halloween, we’re celebrating some of the fascinating wildlife living around us, even if much of it comes out after dark.