Hibernating Bats

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Just wondered what time of year Bats would usually hibernate? I'm still getting 2 Noctule over the lake every night, although the Pipistrelles and Daubentons seems to have disappeared. Do species vary depending on size?

John

[thunder]

The usual trigger is the weather - if it is mild enough for there to be plenty of insects then the bats (of all species) will stay active and continue feeding. I am still getting bats in my garden (though can't yet identify all the species from the sonograms!).

henrya

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

It's just strange how the Nocules are the only Bats i'm seeing now, whereas during most of the summer we never had any in the same area. I'm wondering whether they are roosting in a couple of Schwegler Boxes I put up during the spring, i could check but don't want to disturb the bats.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

I'm wondering whether they are roosting in a couple of Schwegler Boxes I put up during the spring, i could check but don't want to disturb the bats.

You'ld also need a license to do so. (I'm assuming you don't have one)

Cheers,

Adam

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

You'ld also need a license to do so. (I'm assuming you don't have one)

Cheers,

Adam

Not entirely correct, I believe the law says you can check the boxes, but once bats are found you must leave them alone and only look if you have a licence

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Still a couple of Nocule around and about near here, also saw a single Pipistrelle yesterday

[m1.carson]

Hi,

Just for the record, I haven't seen a bat for years, at home or work.

Max.

[Mr Mag00]

i am not sure they will be hibernating just yet. i understand that they go to a 'swarm' where they mate before hibernating and delay impregnation until the spring, am i right in thinking this about delayed impregnation.

still see a couple flying around here in the country lanes.

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

Not entirely correct, I believe the law says you can check the boxes, but once bats are found you must leave them alone and only look if you have a licence

You are quite right but it is possible to find signs of occupancy,droppings, urine stains ,without disturbing the bats
Bats do not hibernate ,they go into torpor which is a similar condition but which allows them to rouse and feed (more importantly drink) and even mate but it is a drain on their tiny body energy reserves which is why they should not be disturbed.
The noctule being the largest of our bats has better reserves but can still be caught out if the sductive mild weather suddenly turns cold

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Originally Posted by nightshade

You are quite right but it is possible to find signs of occupancy,droppings, urine stains ,without disturbing the bats
Bats do not hibernate ,they go into torpor which is a similar condition but which allows them to rouse and feed (more importantly drink) and even mate but it is a drain on their tiny body energy reserves which is why they should not be disturbed.
The noctule being the largest of our bats has better reserves but can still be caught out if the sductive mild weather suddenly turns cold

With the Schwegler boxes i've found it's quite difficult to spot for signs of occupancy, mainly because the boxes are enclosed with front holes, unless there is another way to tell occupancy without opening them up?