bats

[daffy66]

hi all
been helping at the farm shop in rivelin sheffield today,having a cuppa outside at dusk and a bat came over!!!!!!!! is it just one suffering insomnia or are they active on milder winter days? i was under the impression that they hibernated till around march. it wasnt a small bat either.
is this unusual or just another case for the global warming tree huggers?

[Phoebe]

Hi Daffy66

I get Bats flying round my house all the time but I have not looked out at dusk in the winter months. I will make a point of looking tomorrow and post back if I see any.

[gess]

Like Phoebe we have bats flying outside in the evenings in the summer, but from what I have read they do hibernate but in mild periods during winter when insects are on the wing they can be tempted into coming out to eat...I can't say I 've seen this, but probably because I'm not outside

Gess

[amateur.naturalist]

Yupee, indeed our hibernating bats will pop out and have a snack during milder times in the winter and even on a soddin' cold night you may spot one as it seeks a warmer retreat with central heating.

[Phoebe]

I have been looking out for bats but have not seen any flying about yet! It must be too cold out here for them to stir.

[wild flower]

You mentioned it was a larger bat-noctules (large bats for UK) are more frequent 'arousers' on warm winter nights than other UK bats.Another possibility is that it was disturbed wherever it was holding up over winter.

[aeshna5]

I've seen a few winter flying bats over the years- I wouldn't say it's common, but not exactly rare either. As well as picking up winter flying insects such as various flies + moths, they will also drink.

[daffy66]

being on the farm theres always plenty of insects flying around. like i saidit was very mild over xmas and id been in shirt sleeves that day.still nice to see it though.havent a clue what flavour it was.

[bluedog]

hi i am in the the process of building 8 new bungalows along side a quite substantial woodland ,there were bungalows on this brownfield site before in the plan s for the bungalows we have batboxes in the eastern eaves the boxes we have been provided with are approx 225mm x 450 x 120 into each wall we are installing 3of the boxes with interconnecting holes and access into the cavities between the two walls could someone with more knowledge than my self pease let me know what species of bat we can expect to live in these boxes thanks steve

[wild flower]

Originally Posted by bluedog

hi i am in the the process of building 8 new bungalows along side a quite substantial woodland ,there were bungalows on this brownfield site before in the plan s for the bungalows we have batboxes in the eastern eaves the boxes we have been provided with are approx 225mm x 450 x 120 into each wall we are installing 3of the boxes with interconnecting holes and access into the cavities between the two walls could someone with more knowledge than my self pease let me know what species of bat we can expect to live in these boxes thanks steve

The species of bats you might expect will primarily depend on where in the country you are, the age and type of woodland and what species of bats you might expect in your location. In addition you may expect different bats at different times of year.

Typical species that roost in buildings would include pipistrelles, brown long-eared, daubentons(if close to water), serotine and there are a number of other more rare bats.

Also suggest you look on the National Biodiversity Netwrok website which will give you records (not all records) of bats within a 1km or 10km grid square.