Bat identification help needed please...

[ninneve]

Hi there, would appreciate some ID advice here as I'm a little stumped as I don't have a lot of experience only having started doing this locally over the last few months, when I get time.

On my detector last night (I have a Magenta Bat4) I finally managed to pick up the calls of a large bat I've seen flying around the park where I live, much bigger than the common pipistrelles. This was quite exciting (no really it was! ) as it's the first time I've picked up a different species on the detector so it's the first time I've been able to compare calls in the field as it were

One problem, I can't work out which species it is. Due to the flight pattern and the peak frequency which was smack bang on 27kHz I was so so sure it was a Noctule (Nyctalus noctula), but when I came back to the house to research it, it seems I was completely wrong linking up that peak frequency with the Nostule. 27kHz is the peak frequency for a Serotine (Eptesicus serotinus). Similar flight pattern to the Nostule, and another of our larger species like the Nostule. But according the resources I used Serotine bats are so uncommon in the Midlands, there's probably more chance of me spotting Batman...with Robin!

And, from having listened to a sound sample of a Serotine, that's not what I heard. What I heard definitely sounded like the clip I listened to of a Nostule, but I definitely wasn't getting the peak frequency at 21hKz or lower, it was smack bang on 27 kHz.

Any thoughts? Thank you

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Hi Ninneve, I know exactly how you feel about the excitement of hearing a bat new or not. In the last month I've been on my first bat survey, and with the help of a much more experienced surveyer we identified several bats, for me it was a real thrill. Cant help you with your question though

BWD

[ninneve]

Hi there BWD! Glad it is not just me that gets so excited! I was so pleased to have finally caught this larger species on the detector...all summer I'd see it, run to get the detector (because sure as anything it wouldn't be about when I already had it in hand!) and the meantime it would have gone At least with the pipistrelles they'll go round and around in the same small area for at least half hour, whereas this larger species seems to stay in one spot for a few minutes before moving off - last night I followed it for 1/4 mile before it went over a hedgerow and I could follow no further. That is another aspect that makes the detection so interesting an exciting - learning these differences in behaviour as well as the differences in the calls. I wish I had more time spare to join a group and take part in proper surveys! Which species did you identify on the survey?

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Hi,

It was mainly Common Pipestrelles ans Daunbentons plus some unidentified. Great evening out, and I'm looking forward to next year when the surveys will start again. Is your detector easy to use. I'm quite interested in buying one but have no idea what is a good or bad.
I have quite a good guide to bats produced by the field studies council which gives the frequency, feeding habits and locations for each bat type.

Good luck in identifing your larger bat

BWD

[nightshade]

I think you answered your own question, if Serotines are rare in your area it was most probably the Noctule.
Bear in mind that Bats vary their frequencys to cope with local conditions

[nightshade]

Just for interest David's Bat Blog: The Hunting of the Noctule David had his detector set to 22kHz

[JimboUK]

What did the actual echolocation sound like? Noctules tend to have a 'chip-chop' sound, while serotines a more 'rata tat tat' sound. It's also quite possible that the pippistrelles you have been detecting could be different species like some myotis as they can all sound quite similar or use similar frequencies. It's quite hard to explain the differences as it can vary in speed and how sharp the blips are. The bat conservation trust sell a good cd explaining it all and this part of their tutorial covers some of it: NBMP Field Survey Tutorial

hope this helped

[nightshade]

Hi jimboUK, could you be more specific ie which CD contains this information
please

[ninneve]

Originally Posted by Billy Wobble Dagger

Is your detector easy to use. I'm quite interested in buying one but have no idea what is a good or bad.

I have a Magenta Bat4 - a good beginners model, even the kids could use it from the off it is that simple to use. I'd certainly recommended it especially if working to a budget

[ninneve]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I think you answered your own question, if Serotines are rare in your area it was most probably the Noctule.
Bear in mind that Bats vary their frequencys to cope with local conditions

Just for interest David's Bat Blog: The Hunting of the Noctule David had his detector set to 22kHz

Hi Nightshade, thanks for commenting The bat didn't sound particularly like that clip either... Reading the descriptions on this site, the flight pattern was more Serotine that Noctule. I tried to find it again last night so I could take more time to observe better - the night before I was just so excited to have picked up a different species it is highly probably I missed important details that would have given the species away to a more experience person