Fourteen different species of bats have been identified at Longleat, including several that are among the rarest in the UK.

The historic Wiltshire estate is home to Bechstein's bat, the greater horseshoe bat, and the lesser horseshoe bat, as well as four other species listed on the conservation red list for British mammals.

The identification was made by Longleat's conservation and research manager, Dr Tom Lewis, who explained the importance of the estate as a haven for bats.

Dr Lewis said: "Bats are part of the wider ecosystem, eating a variety of invertebrates, ranging from moths to beetles, flies, mosquitoes, and spiders.

"We carried out a two-year project, which included the use of acoustic detectors and catching surveys to find out which species called Longleat home, and were astounded to find 14, including lots of evidence of breeding and even a few maternity roosts."

Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems across the globe, contributing to pollination and seed dispersal.

Their populations, however, suffer when insect numbers decline.

Dr Lewis is particularly excited about the presence of Bechstein's bat, one of the UK's rarest bats due to the destruction of ancient woodlands.

He said: "Bechstein’s bat, which we believe is breeding on the estate, has become one of our rarest bats, largely due to the widespread destruction of ancient woodlands that once blanketed the country.

"Therefore, it’s especially exciting to have discovered them here at Longleat."

The estate also provides a home for the barbastelle bat, serotine, Leisler's bat, and Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat, all on the conservation red list due to declines in populations and contractions in range.

Dr Lewis continued: "To have so many native species living and breeding in Longleat is fantastic because it just shows how good the habitat here is for these species.

"The low-intensity management of the woodlands and the parkland means we have plenty of food.

"There is not much disturbance and lots of room to find a home."

Other species found at Longleat include the greater horseshoe, lesser horseshoe, Daubenton’s, Natterer’s, brown long-eared, common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, whiskered, and noctule.

The bat surveys form part of the estate-wide surveys conducted to study the native species using the estate.

Dr Lewis plans to continue the study to further understand the resources available on the estate and how they might attract more species.

He added: "Each species has interesting characteristics.

"We should be celebrating these incredible, tiny animals, not fearing them."