Bats

East Sussex WRAS works closely with the Sussex Bat Group and undertakes rescues following their guidance and advice. Bats are generally transported to them for rehabilitation and release unless only minimal care is required.

Out during the day or grounded.

If a bat is discovered during the daytime or on the ground, it typically requires assistance. This could indicate an accident, injury from a cat, disturbance while sleeping or resting, or being a lost young bat.

The following information is taken from the Bat Conservation Trust and Sussex Bat Group websites.

Does the bat need help?

A bat needs help, and should not be left or released without advice, if:

• It’s on the ground or floor
• It’s exposed during the day (e.g., on an external wall)
• It’s in the living area of a dwelling, or the public area of another building
• It’s been in contact with a cat
• It’s a pup without its mother (see below)
• It’s stuck to something (like flypaper, barbed wire or a fishing hook)
• Its roosting place has been disturbed – for example, by removing wood from a woodpile, taking a sign from a wall, or building work. If a bat has been found during building work, there are some additional things you’ll need to do to ensure that the roost is retained and the law is not broken. Please see this page for further advice.

If you find a bat in any of these situations, please put some gloves on and contain it using the following advice. Please don’t release the bat without further advice. A bat that isn’t fit for release, or that is released in unsuitable conditions, is unlikely to survive.

However, a bat seen in a loft, basement or outbuilding, or wedged into a crevice, may simply be roosting there. Please call the National Bat Helpline so we can help you evaluate the situation.

Do not touch the bat with your bare hands.

If you find an injured or grounded bat, please follow these instructions:

• Instructions on how to contact a bat can be found at : https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/help-ive-found-a-bat/bats-in-need-of-rescue/contain-the-bat
• Contact your nearest bat rescuer details can be found on the Sussex Bat Group Website or call WRAS: https://www.sussexbatgroup.org.uk/batrescue
• If contact cannot be made with a rescuer, please phone the Bat Conservation Trust Helpline on 0345 1300 228 for further advice and support.

Bat flying around inside your bedroom.

Sometimes, bats might accidentally fly through open windows. If a window is left wide open, they usually manage to find their way out on their own once it’s dark. However, if the window proves to be challenging for the bat to navigate and exit, it’s best to reach out to bat rescuers for help.

Bats caught in fly paper

Every year, numerous bats are discovered stuck to adhesive fly papers. These bats are drawn to the insects caught on the paper, leading to their own entrapment. Removing them from the sticky surface is challenging, so it is crucial to promptly seek assistance and guidance from a certified bat worker. Refrain from trying to handle or release these bats on your own.

Fly fishing and bats

Bats, a species usually not associated with conflicts with fishermen, surprisingly get caught up in fly fishing activities. It’s not just fish that are hooked! Some bats chase after the fishing flies being cast, while others attempt to catch fishing flies hanging from rods and lines left against walls and posts. Moreover, discarded flies caught in branches pose a potential danger for passing bats. To prevent such situations, those overseeing fishing lakes can mitigate risks by trimming vegetation where fishing flies might get entangled.

Further advice

Sussex Bat Group: https://www.sussexbatgroup.org.uk/Home

Bat Conservation Trust: https://www.bats.org.uk