Rare bat discovered at Seaton Wetlands

One of the UK's rarest mammals - a grey long-eared bat - has been discovered at a nature reserve in Devon.

The species, which had not been seen at Seaton Wetlands since 2013, was spotted at a guided bat walk event there earlier this month.

Grey long-eared bats are incredibly rare, according to Wild East Devon, which manages 10 nature reserves. Fewer than 1,000 of them are thought to remain across the UK, it said.

"The diversity of bats at Seaton Wetlands is a strong sign of a thriving and healthy ecosystem," said Professor Fiona Matthews, chair of Mammal Conservation Europe.

Grey long-eared bats, known as Plecotus austriacus, are identified by their exceptionally large ears and distinguished from the more common brown long-eared bat by their "thumb size", Wild East Devon said.

"Seaton Wetlands and a few other local patches of farmland in East Devon offer a species-rich wet grassland, supporting the moths, crane flies and midges which bats rely heavily to feed on, making it the perfect place for the grey long-eared to forage," the organisation said.

Ms Mathews said bats were a "vital part" of the UK's native wildlife.

"They are an indicator species, meaning their presence tells us a lot about the health of the environment," she said.

The discovery was a "fantastic accolade for the district", according to Councillor Richard Jefferies, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Nature and Climate.

"It demonstrates the remarkable work the East Devon District Council Countryside Team undertake to support wildlife restoration and conservation at each of our nature reserves," he added.

Wild East Devon said 14 of the 16 bat species found in Devon have been recorded at the Seaton site, including other rarities like Bechstein's bat, greater horseshoe and barbastelle.

Ten natures reserves are managed by Wild East Devon, from Axminster to Exmouth, including the award-winning Seaton Wetlands.

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