Latin name: Rhinolophus hipposideros

Of the nine species of bat that are resident in Ireland, this bat is one of the rarest. It is called the lesser horseshoe bat because it has a horseshoe-shaped flap (called a noseleaf) around its nostrils.

This bat needs forest and woodland habitat in order to survive. Because they have a weak echolocation (or navigation) system, lesser horseshoe bats need to have landscape structures such as trees, woodlands, walls and hedgerows in order to be able to find their way around and hunt for food. The decline in this species that has been seen across its European range (it has become extinct in parts of central Europe) can be partly attributed to loss of forest and woodland habitat.

While the protection of the bat requires broad landscape measures that go beyond the forest boundaries, Coillte, as a major forest owner, has a very positive contribution to make to the long-term conservation of this species, and aims to support national conservation efforts to conserve this mammal.

1. The Irish population of the lesser horseshoe bat is found in Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway and Mayo. Areas of Coillte land that are important foraging areas for this species will be included in Coillte's target area for nature conservation (i.e., 15% of Coillte's estate to be managed as biodiversity areas).
   
2. Forest Management Guidelines for forest stands located in important lesser horsehoe bat areas have been drawn up.
   
3. Coillte will promote broad awareness of the location of important lesser horseshoe bat areas on the Coillte estate and of management requirements for these areas.
   
4. Coillte will also continue to consult with expert staff in Statutory bodies and NGOs at local and national level regarding site-level actions to protect this bat.
   
5. The Action Plan will be updated as new surveys and research provide more information on the ecology of the bat and factors that control its abundance.