Pipistrelle droppings?

wild flower · #1 (**permalink**) 13-05-2009, 03:50 PM

Would you agree the following are all pipistrelle droppings? The ruler shows mm. Thanks for any feedback.

dampflippers · #2 (**permalink**) 13-05-2009, 04:19 PM

Bat droppings consist mainly of insect carcasses, so if you rub them between your fingers they will crumble and feel dry.
Try it.
If they are soft and smelly, go and wash your hands!

I'm not sure if it's possible to classify bat droppings accurately.

By the way, where did you find them and do you have bats flying nearby?

bats.org

wild flower · #3 (**permalink**) 13-05-2009, 04:24 PM

The droppings, which are definitely bat, were found in a loft. There is good habitat nearby. At first I thought they could be brown long eared but on measuring they are too small. The only other one is daubentons but I am not sure if they are likely in lofts especailly when ther are lots of trees around?

thunder · #4 (**permalink**) 13-05-2009, 09:37 PM

Daubenton's are sometimes found in lofts. Bat droppings are very hard to tell apart - would need to see them 'in the hand' to give any opinion, and it is almost impossible to be 100% certain.

henrya

canis.rufus · #5 (**permalink**) 23-05-2009, 06:37 PM

Hiya,

I am always lazy when it comes to droppings, the bats themselves are more fun.

Several of the Bat pages in the WAB A-Z have pictures of droppings to compare to, List of British Mammals | Wild About Britain

One thing I do know is that Daubenton's droppings tend to be very wet, because of their feeding habits. Certainly when we find them in boxes, there tends to be a mash of droppings which is hard to separate.

Remember to let your local bat group know about the roost (if you haven't already).

Good luck - Toby.

Tracy Habgood · #6 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 06:14 PM

Hi I am new here and initially registered to ask about robins nests but as I am here I thought I would also ask about bats.

Last year we had masses of bat dropping along our window sills outside under the eaves. I also found a dead little bat hanging from the sill itself which was very sad. It was a perfectly formed little thing with a sweet little face. I contacted the local bat protection people and they confirmed from my description that it was a pipistrelle. They said it was likely that the baby had left the eaves with it's mother and was too weak to return back up so clung to the sill instead but the elements had killed it. I immediately went out and bought a bat box but we are not really sure where it will be best to place it safely away from predators but not too hight that the babies cannot reach it.

The bats left and we did not think they would return so didn't put the box up.
Today I have noticed the droppings on the sill again so would really like to get the box put up in readiness for them.

Any advice would be greatly received.

Thanks

Tracy

thunder · #7 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 08:13 PM

Not sure the bat box would have helped the baby - it is more likely that it had been abandoned or its mother had been killed. Mothers will generally retrieve wandering babies if they can. I should put the box on a nearby tree - but since there is an existing roost in your roof the box may not be used.

henrya

canis.rufus · #8 (**permalink**) 25-05-2009, 08:29 PM

Hiya,

Opinions on positioning boxes vary, but if it is above 2m and roughly South facing it should be ok. Make sure that it gets some sun, as Pipistrelles especially, like the box to be warm.

In terms of predators; the domestic cat is normally the main culprit, so try and make sure that the box isn't easily accessible to them.

Don't be surprised if it doesn't get used for a while, bats can take a while recognise boxes as roosts, especially if they aren't used to them.

Also, as there is an established roost, the bats may well decide that they would rather roost in luxury in your house. However, even if this is the case, it is still worth putting your box up, as it may be used by other wildlife such as insects or birds (depending on the type of box).

Good luck - Toby.

Tracy Habgood · #9 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 08:59 AM

Thank you for your replies.

We watched them all fly out of their home last night as dusk and whizz around the garden. It was fab. I think like you say they will stay in the eaves as it is on the South facing part of the Bungalow which gets really warm. They are such beautiful little creatures.
I feel very honoured that they have chosen our house again this year.

Tracy