Abstract
Noctule bats Nyctalus noctula are regarded as being at 'high risk' from collision with wind turbines - as are effects on their populations - by Natural England. To reduce the risks to bats from wind installations the Natural England guidance (Matthews et al. 2009) advises that turbines are placed at a minimum distance of 50m from the rotor tip to habitat features, such as hedgerows and woodlands that are used by many British species for commuting and feeding fly-ways. However, I consider that this 'rule' does not apply to noctule bats, which are a free flying species.