A RESEARCH project to look at the distribution, numbers and feeding habits of the rare Barbastelle bat on Dartmoor is coming to an end.

The partnership of Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Woodland Trust and the National Trust, with funding from SITA Trust, set up the £25,000 research project two years ago to shed light on the ecology of one of the rarest British mammals.

Overall 19 Barbastelles have been tracked and two new breeding colonies were discovered in the Bovey and Dart valleys. The first ever Bechstein's bat in the National Park was also discovered in the Dart valley.

There are seventeen bat species in the UK, of which 15 have been found in Dartmoor National Park. 

Because of their declining numbers in the past, all UK bats are protected by law.

The first breeding colony of Barbastelles on Dartmoor was found in 2002 in Dendles Wood National Nature Reserve. 

Barbastelles are a priority species for conservation under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

There are thought to be only about 5,000 Barbastelle bats in the UK but the exact status and distribution is unknown.

The research has shown that Dartmoor Barbastelles seem to travel up to 11km to their feeding grounds where they prey on moths over mature hedges.

Bechstein's bat is one of the rarest British mammals and a UK priority species, with only 1,500 individuals estimated.

It is a southerly species, formerly known only from south-east England but it appears to be increasing its range westwards and northwards.

This may be partly due to the improved technology enabling it to be better detected but possibly also due to the warming climate.