With so many old trees, open spaces, roosting places on the Manor’s roof and down in the old Ice House, bats have found many places to roost, forage and feed at Waddesdon.
11 native bat species have been spotted here including 64 Noctule, 52 Brown long-eared, 14 Natterer’s, 13 Daubenton’s, 11 Leisler’s and 10 Barbastelle which were all recorded in 2025 in one hilly area alone. The presence of the rare Barbastelle is particularly significant, confirming the continued importance of the estate’s veteran woodland core and dark corridor network. Records of Brown long-eared, Daubenton’s, and Natterer’s bats further demonstrate the value of woodland and riparian (wetland) habitats, while Noctule and Leisler’s reflect the role of open parkland and mature trees.
Interestingly it is the Manor that remains the primary hotspot for bat activity, with over 80% of all detections, with the Dairy and surrounding woodland also supporting diverse foraging activity. Together, they highlight the importance of connected woodland edge and open parkland mosaics for bats across Waddesdon Manor’s landscape.
Discover the places where bats roost, forage and feed and learn more about the different species on this guided tour.