Bats are doing well in Derbyshire, according to some of the county's naturalists.
The diverse habitats found throughout the county are ideal for many of the species found within our shores. Of the many hundreds of species worldwide, only 17 exist in Britain, and Derbyshire is home to eleven of those species.
These remarkable animals have some amazing features and are the only true flying mammals.
Whilst some people cringe at the mere thought of them, bats are in fact small, harmless creatures - most of which would fit through a hole no larger than the diameter of your index finger.
There are a number of good places to spot our local bat population - and some of the best are the park around Kedleston Hall, the grounds around Renishaw Hall, Chatsworth House, Rosliston Forestry Centre and Ilam Park. Kedleston runs a series of bat walks each year to help those who would like to find out more about these enigmatic, nocturnal creatures... though you'll not be too surprised to hear that such is their popularity they sell out faster than you can say 'Pipistrelle'. Among the bats you might see are the two of the larger species - Noctual and Leisler’s - usually flying at canopy level around trees with large cavities before it grows dark, the Pipistrelle, Daubenton’s (usually near water), and the Long-eared brown
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