Artificial light can disrupt bats by affecting their emergence from roosts, feeding behaviour and commuting routes. In the UK, bats and their roosts are protected by law, and lighting that illuminates a bat roost or its entrance can potentially cause an offence.
What makes an outdoor light bat friendly?
There isn't one universal specification that makes a light officially "bat friendly". The suitability of a fitting depends on the light source, its settings and, importantly, where and how it is installed. Current Bat Conservation Trust guidance recommends considering the whole lighting scheme rather than simply choosing a particular fitting.
When choosing outdoor lighting for areas where bats may be present, look for:
- Warm-colour light: ideally below 2700K, reducing the blue component that can be particularly disruptive to bats.
- Low light levels: use no more light than is necessary for the task.
- Downward direction: choose fittings that direct light towards the ground and minimise upward and sideways spill.
- Good optical control: hoods, shades, baffles and carefully positioned fittings can help keep light away from trees, hedges and other wildlife habitats.
- No UV: LED sources are generally preferred because they can provide good control and typically have little or no UV output.
- Limited operating times: PIR sensors, timers and dimming can ensure lights are only on when required.
- Dark corridors: avoid illuminating hedgerows, woodland edges, watercourses, bat boxes, roost entrances and other areas that bats may use for commuting or foraging.
Some local planning authorities set additional requirements for bat-sensitive developments. For example, Stroud's current biodiversity lighting specification calls for fittings below 2.5m, no upward light, warm white light not exceeding 2700K, low-wattage LED lamps and PIR controls with a maximum one-minute timer. These are local planning specifications rather than universal UK requirements, so always check the conditions applying to your particular property or development.
Bat-friendly outdoor lighting from Kichler and Hinkley
Kichler Ripley Range
The Kichler Ripley Range is a strong choice where you want a traditional outdoor aesthetic with controlled illumination. The Ripley wall lights feature a metal cone shade that helps direct light, while the range is DarkSky Approved, dimmable and wet rated.
Hinkley Pratt Single Adjustable Outdoor Spotlight
The Hinkley Pratt Outdoor Lighting Range is designed as an outdoor spotlight with a pivotable shade and knurled detailing, giving you greater control over the direction of the light. Hinkley's small Pratt downlight, for example, uses a single 7W GU10 LED, has a pivotable shade and clear glass lens, and is wet rated.
Its adjustable design can be particularly useful when the aim is to illuminate a path, doorway or specific feature without unnecessarily lighting the surrounding garden. For bat-sensitive areas, however, the spotlight should be carefully aimed downwards and away from roosts, trees, hedgerows and known commuting routes.
Protect bats while lighting your outdoor space
The best bat-friendly lighting scheme is often the one that uses the least artificial light possible. Before installing new outdoor lights, consider whether illumination is actually necessary and whether existing fittings could be repositioned, dimmed or put on sensors.
If bats are known or suspected to use your property, particularly around a roof, building, mature trees or bat boxes, specialist ecological advice may be needed. The appropriate lighting solution can depend on the species present, how they use the site and the existing light levels.
Choose warm, low-level and well-controlled outdoor lighting, keep sensitive habitats dark, and make sure your installation meets any local planning or ecological requirements.
Shop Bat-Friendly Outdoor Lights
Explore outdoor wall lights, spotlights and other carefully considered exterior lighting options designed to help you illuminate the areas you need while reducing unnecessary light spill into the night-time environment.