Rare bats discovered near Hemel Hempstead to benefit from new conservation project this Halloween

One of Britain's rarest bat species is set to benefit from a new conservation project near Hemel Hempstead, with specialist monitoring work getting underway in time for Halloween.

The elusive barbastelle bat was recorded during ecological surveys at the Serge Hill Project in Bedmond, near Abbots Langley, alongside seven other bat species.

Now, funding from Affinity Water's Rooting for Wildlife scheme will help ecologists better understand how the rare bats use the local landscape and improve habitats to encourage them to roost in the area.

Specialist monitoring equipment is due to be installed in the run-up to Halloween, with the project set to use wildlife cameras, bat tagging and ecological surveys to learn more about the bats' movements and behaviour.

The barbastelle is one of the UK's rarest bat species, recognisable by its distinctive pug-like face and dark fur. It relies on suitable woodland and wetland habitats for feeding and roosting.

In Hertfordshire, the species is particularly elusive. A maternity colony discovered near Bishop's Stortford in 2012 was the only one known in the county when a dedicated conservation project launched in 2016.

Charlotte Johnson, Senior Ecologist at Affinity Water, said: "It's fantastic to know that one of Britain's rarest bats has been spotted right here in Hertfordshire, and we're really pleased to be supporting the work to help protect it.

"Through our Rooting for Wildlife scheme, we're helping local groups turn their conservation ideas into action. Projects like this show how important it is to protect the habitats that wildlife depends on, and we're excited to see what the team discovers over the coming months."

The conservation work is taking place at the Serge Hill Project, a not-for-profit gardening and education initiative founded by Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith.

Based in an old orchard in Bedmond, the project works with schools, charities and community groups to help people connect with gardening, wildlife and nature.

Alongside the new monitoring work, plans include improving feeding habitats and creating additional roosting opportunities through careful tree management.

Sam Radonich, an ecologist working for Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith at the Serge Hill Project, said: "Knowing that barbastelle bats pass over the land here is incredibly exciting and presents a great opportunity.

"They're a species that many people will never get the chance to see, so knowing they're using this part of Hertfordshire makes the work we're doing even more important.

"We're hoping to learn much more about where they're roosting, how they're moving through the landscape and what we can do to create the right conditions for them to thrive and ultimately roost on site rather than just pass through.

"This is just the beginning of the project, but we're really excited about what we might discover over the coming months."

The project coincides with Bat Appreciation Month, which takes place throughout October and highlights the important role bats play in the natural environment.

Further findings from the ecological monitoring are expected to be published in late autumn 2027.

For more information, visit www.sergehillproject.co.uk or Affinity Water's Rooting for Wildlife scheme.