One of the smallest bat species, the Common Pipistrelle weighs only about as much as a few paper clips! Just after sunset, it dashes through the air in quick, twisting flights, catching tiny insects like gnats and midges. Even though it’s tiny, the Common Pipistrelle can travel surprising distances at night, using its special echolocation calls to find food in mid-air and avoid obstacles in the dark.

Recognised by its extra-long ears—almost as long as its body—this small bat spends its days resting in quiet places like old roofs or hollow trees. At night, it flies gently among trees and hedges, using its keen hearing and a high-pitched call (called echolocation) to find moths, beetles, and other insects. Even though it is very quiet when flying, a patient observer might spot a Brown long-eared bat flitting across the sky just after sunset.

Although not popular, Brown Rats are adaptable, thriving anywhere they can find food and shelter. Near coasts, they may forage along the shore for tidal debris, but they’re also prolific around human refuse.

Rabbits graze on grasses and low plants, shaping the vegetation by keeping it trimmed. They typically dig burrows (warrens) in sandy banks, roots, or scrubby areas, dashing for cover if startled. Around Lihou, look for signs of their presence on grassy slopes, where short nibbling creates neat lawns amid the island’s wild plants.

Harbour Porpoises are shy and rarely breach, displaying only a small fin and a rounded head without a pronounced beak. This makes them distinct from dolphins, which usually have a more extended snout and may be more energetic at the surface. Although rare, around Lihou’s waters, one might catch a glimpse of their subtle dorsal fin breaking the surface if conditions are calm.

Common Dolphins display a distinctive hourglass pattern along their flanks, with pale yellowish-tan near the front and grey towards the tail. They often travel in fast-moving pods that can include many individuals, occasionally mingling with other dolphin species. Around Lihou, observers scanning from the coast might occasionally spot them during calm weather as they chase fish shoals offshore.

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly social, swimming in pods that may leap, surf waves, or even bow-ride beside boats. Around Lihou, they can occasionally be spotted passing by in search of fish shoals. Their grey, robust bodies and curved dorsal fins are easily recognised when they surface.

With a larger, more “roman-nosed” head than the Common Seal, the Grey Seal can sometimes be spotted in the waters off Lihou. Males can exceed two metres, and they hunt fish, crustaceans, and squid. They rarely stay for long, but the occasional sighting is a treat for anyone scanning the shoreline at low tide.