A BAT caught at lakes near Heybridge is thought to have travelled more than 1,000 miles from Latvia.

The Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat was caught at Chigborough Lakes as part of a study into the migratory species by Essex Bat Group.

It is the first time a bat ringed in continental Europe has been re-captured in Essex and is the first concrete proof of migration between Europe and Essex.

Bats ringed in Latvia and Lithuania, both located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, have been re-captured in south-east England on four occasions during the last few years.

Studies aim to confirm that bat migration between Britain and Europe takes place and to locate migration routes.

Nathusius’ pipistrelles are known to migrate long distances between northern Europe and parts of western Europe.

The bat was caught on September 1 by Essex Bat Group records officer Tim Sapsford at the Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve.

The catching and ringing of bats is carried out under a special licence issued by Natural England, the state body responsible for approving research into legally protected species.

The trust has been co- operating with the bat migration study since its inception in 2014 and has caught and ringed approximately 50 Nathusius’ pipistrelles since that date.

For more on the reserves visit www.essexwt.org.uk.