Bat friendly lighting for outdoor spaces

Bats are a vital part of our ecosystem, playing a key role in controlling insect populations and maintaining biodiversity. In the UK, we are fortunate to have 18 species of bats—17 of which are known to breed here—making up nearly a quarter of our native mammal species. Every summer, thousands of people take to the countryside to witness these fascinating nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat. However, bat populations have suffered severe declines over the past century due to habitat loss, pollution, and increasing artificial light at night.

Artificial lighting can significantly impact bats, disrupting their natural behaviours such as foraging, roosting, and migration. Since all UK bat species and their roosts are legally protected, we must balance our need for outdoor lighting with responsible conservation practises. This is where bat friendly lighting comes in—an approach designed to minimise light pollution, reduce disturbance to wildlife, and create a more sustainable outdoor environment.

Let us understand the effects of artificial light and how by choosing the right lighting solutions, businesses, homeowners, and local councils can help protect bat habitats while still meeting their lighting needs.

The impact of artificial lighting on bats

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) has increased by over 49% in the past 30 years, negatively affecting bats, other wildlife, and even humans. While outdoor lighting is essential, irresponsible use disrupts ecosystems and wastes energy. Bats, as nocturnal specialists, are particularly vulnerable to light pollution and serve as key indicators of its impact.

Excessive artificial lighting disrupts bat behaviour by delaying feeding times, increasing exposure to predators, and causing roost abandonment. Blue and green light wavelengths are especially harmful, interfering with their navigation and feeding patterns. Choosing the right lighting spectrum—such as warm amber tones—reduces these threats to bats and minimises disruption to their nocturnal activities.

Why bat-friendly lighting matters

Legal Protections for Bats

Bats in the UK are strictly protected under national and European legislation due to significant population declines. All 18 species are safeguarded under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, which implements the EU Habitats Directive into UK law. These laws make it illegal to capture, injure, or kill bats and prohibit the disturbance or destruction of their roosts, even if bats are not present at the time.

Violating these protections can lead to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Developers, businesses, and homeowners must follow legal requirements when planning lighting installations near bat habitats to avoid harming bat populations.

Environmental and Ethical Responsibility

Artificial lighting is a major threat to bats, altering their behaviour and reducing their ability to hunt and navigate. To mitigate these impacts, businesses and homeowners should adopt bat friendly lighting solutions, such as minimising unnecessary lighting, choosing warm-coloured LEDs, and ensuring lights do not spill into roosting or foraging areas. Responsible lighting design supports bat conservation while still meeting human lighting needs.

Key considerations

Choosing the right lighting is crucial to minimising disruption to bats while maintaining necessary illumination for outdoor spaces. Here are the key considerations:

• Light only where needed – Reducing unnecessary lighting helps prevent disturbance to bat roosts and feeding areas. Why do bats avoid light? Artificial lighting disrupts their nocturnal behaviour, making them vulnerable to predators.
• Colour temperature – Warm white tones (2700K or lower) are best. What colour light do bats hate? They are highly sensitive to blue and white light, which interferes with their navigation and feeding.
• Specific wavelength lighting – Amber lighting (580nm–620nm, ideally 593nm) is the least disruptive to bats, allowing them to move freely without interference.
• Energy efficiency – Solar and LED lighting reduce energy waste while minimising light pollution, helping to maintain dark sky conditions for bats.
• Fixture design and materials – Choose lighting fixtures that minimise glare and light spill to avoid disrupting bat habitats and nocturnal activity.

Bat friendly lighting solutions

Selecting the right lighting reduces disturbance to bats while maintaining effective illumination. These lighting solutions from Hornbeck (formerly Made by Landmark) prioritise sustainability, minimised light pollution, and durability.

Guarda Bollard

A minimalist lighting bollard made from durable Accoya. The downward light enhances the timber’s character, making it ideal for atmospheric locations. With a 25-year below-ground and 50-year above-ground warranty, it ensures longevity.

Torre (Solar) – Lighting Bollard

A compact bollard with a solar panel and PIR sensor for energy efficiency. Available in oak, it emits gentle illumination while minimising light pollution. The LED operates at 10% brightness and increases to 100% when movement is detected.

Torre (Wired) – Lighting Bollard

A durable and efficient bollard with options in silver or black. Designed to provide effective illumination while reducing glare. Available in timber materials with life spans ranging from 10 to 50 years.

Punto (Wired) – Lighting Bollard

A sleek, stylish option for areas needing wide lighting coverage. The recessed LED module minimises glare and light pollution, making it an excellent guidance lighting solution.

Peri (Wired) – Lighting Bollard

A compact design, only 500mm high, ideal for narrow spaces. Reduces light pollution and is available with a socket or baseplate for versatile installation.

Bosco (Solar) – Lighting Bollard

Made from chestnut, this bollard blends naturally into trails and paths. Its solar-powered system stores energy efficiently, providing soft, bat light illumination while keeping light pollution low.

Bosco (Wired) – Lighting Bollard

A chestnut bollard with a natural appearance that blends into the environment. Designed for low-light areas, ensuring minimal impact on nocturnal wildlife.

Eye (Solar) – Lighting Bollard

A contemporary design with a solar panel and energy-efficient LED. Made from oak, it provides long-lasting durability (20-25 years) while functioning as effective bat solar lights.

Eye (Wired) – Lighting Bollard

A sleek, minimalist bollard available in oak, chestnut, and Accoya. Durable and designed for outdoor spaces needing long-lasting, low-impact lighting.

Each of these solutions helps mitigate the impact of artificial lighting on bats, ensuring responsible illumination in outdoor environments.

Conclusion

Reducing the negative effects of artificial lighting is crucial for protecting bat habitats and preserving nocturnal ecosystems. Choosing bat friendly lighting helps minimise disruption while maintaining effective illumination. 

As a public space designer, architect, or council, what steps are you taking to reduce light pollution and protect local wildlife? Thoughtful lighting choices can make a significant difference. Explore our lighting solutions to support wildlife conservation and create sustainable outdoor spaces.