“bat-friendly” streetlights for rare bat species in Netherlands

Street lighting can impact bats’ feeding patterns and internal compasses, as well as the activity of their insect prey. However, a town in the Netherlands is taking steps to help the bats out.

Zuidhoek Nieuwkoop, a housing development of around 90 sustainable homes near the Nieuwkoopse Plassen nature reserve, has installed what are thought to be the world’s first bat-friendly streetlights. The red LED light to brighten the road for humans, but the bats still perceive the light as darkness.