Bat Monitoring

Bat monitoring across the Leckford Estate has been coordinated by Carole and George Baber. To date, five bat transects have been completed at the Farm, Golf Course, Fishery Lakes/River Test, Longstock House and Water Gardens. In addition, acoustic bat detectors were deployed around Leckford Farm between 9 and 13 May 2026. Prior to this year, 12 bat boxes were located across the estate. With funding from Leckford Farm, the Spedan Trust and Hampshire Bat Group, a further 32 bat boxes were installed on 11 April 2026 within woodland adjacent to the orchards and Golf Course. Two bat box inspections have been undertaken so far. Whilst occupancy was not anticipated during the first year as bats become acclimatised to new boxes, the second inspection on 22 August 2026 recorded nine pipistrelle bats occupying boxes across the estate, including five within existing boxes and four within newly installed boxes. Bat droppings were also recorded in several unoccupied boxes, suggesting that bats in the area have already begun investigating and utilising the new roosting opportunities.

Summary of bat species recorded using the various surveying methods:

• Common Pipistrelle

• Soprano Pipistrelle

• Noctule

• Serotine

• Daubenton's Bat

• Brown Long-Eared Bat

• Leisler's Bat

• Natterer's Bat

• Whiskered Bat

• Barbastelle Bat