Singleton and Cocking Tunnels

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.9228, -0.7603

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (6)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SU871148 Favourable 0.77 2020-11-25
SU872140 Favourable 0.77 2020-11-25
SU872144 Favourable 0.46 2020-11-25
SU873163 Favourable 0.37 2020-11-25
SU873166 Favourable 0.31 2020-11-25
SU873170 Favourable 0.37 2020-11-25

Description

Area, 4.8 ha. 11.9 ac. Description Singleton and Cocking Tunnels constitute the most important sites for hibernating bats in south east England and are the fifth most important in Britain. These two disused brick railway tunnels, located in rural Sussex, once formed part of the Chichester to Midhurst railway line. They now support, during the winter months, large numbers of hibernating bats and are the only known location in Britain for the mouse eared bat Myotis myotis. Eight species have been found in all; those best represented include Natterer’s Myotis nattereri, Daubenton’s Myotis daubentonii, brown long eared Plecotus auritus and Brandt’s Myotis brandtii / whiskered Myotis mystacinus these two cannot normally be distinguished in the field, but are both known to occur here. Other species regularly occur in small numbers.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
Brandt's bat Myotis brandtii DD bat vespertillonidae
Daubenton's bat Myotis daubentonii LC bat vespertillonidae
greater mouse-eared bat Myotis myotis CR bat vespertillonidae
whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus DD bat vespertillonidae
Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri LC bat vespertillonidae
brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus LC bat vespertillonidae