Habitat use of Bechstein’s Bat (Myotis bechsteinii) and woodpeckers reveals the importance of old-growth features in European beech forests

•Bechsteińs Bat and woodpeckers explicitly select for old-growth habitat features.•Stands with basal areas of >4 m2 ha−1 of habitat-trees (DBH > 50 cm) are preferred.•High tree cavity densities reveal a major importance on forest and stand scale.•Close link between trees with limb break offs and tree cavity density.•Injured but still vital, large trees play a major role for high habitat quality.