St Sampson's Bats 

In May 2021 two families of bats were found in the roof at St Sampson’s Church, South Hill. Common Pipistrelles and the more infrequent Natterers bats. The UK population of Natterer’s bats is of international importance and they are listed as declining within the red data book for Cornwall.  
 
Bats are fascinating and endearing creatures and an important part of our ecosystem.  They only have one baby a year and can live for up to 30 years. They eat mainly insects and are more closely related to humans than they are to mice.  Amazingly they are the only true flying mammals in the world.   We are privileged to have them in our building.


 Natterer’s bats are found throughout most of the British Isles but generally it is a   scarce and poorly known species
 
 In Cornwall, Natterer’s bats are widespread but infrequent.
 
 St Sampson’s Church provides a habitat for Natterer’s bats, a declining species   localy, and of international interest.

 This site is registered as a protected species habitat.
 
 
 
To find out more about Natterers bats natterers 11.02.13.indd (bats.org.uk)  a
 
To find out more about pipistrelle bats  commonpipistrelle 11.02.13.indd (bats.org.uk)