Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)

Not to be confused with the common pipistrelle – these species were only identified as separate species in the 90s. Soprano pipistrelles feed in wetland habitats such as over lakes and rivers, but also around woodland edge, tree lines or hedgerows, and in suburban gardens and parks. Summer roosts are generally found in crevices around the outside of newer buildings. They also roost in tree holes and bat boxes. In winter they are found in small numbers in crevices of buildings and trees and bat boxes. They are often found in relatively exposed locations and rarely underground.

Soprano pipistrelles feed mainly on small flies such as midges or mosquitoes. Populations of pipistrelles have declined, at least partly due to modern agricultural practices. Their reliance on buildings for roosting makes them vulnerable to building renovations, exclusion and toxic remedial timber treatment chemicals.

• A dropping sample with sufficient biological material to be used as a reserve is required in case the extraction is unsuccessful the first time.
• The fresher a sample is, the more likely the test will be able to extract viable DNA.