Donal Hickey: The global importance of Ireland's 14,000 Horseshoe Bats

Among the threats are extra artificial lighting and pesticides

Numbers of Horseshoe Bats have risen significantly here in the past 30 years because of improved protection, more woodland cover and even climate change

A fascinating sight in nature is the emergence of bats from their various residences at dusk. We have nine bat species in Ireland and, perhaps surprisingly, their numbers are growing.

Very much involved is the Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) which has been in contact with news of some interesting projects including maternity roosts for the lesser horseshoe bat in Mayo, Galway, Clare and Kerry, not forgetting West Cork and Limerick where this particular bat is also found.