A Good Year for Bats?

[excoriate]

I've been thinking about this for a while now, dreading it really.
BUT, given the pretty poor weather this year, with the rain and wind (primarily in Scotland where I'm based but possibily across the country given the news?), what is the likely scale of impact on bats over the winter?

Will they have had enough of a chance to bulk up on insects on the few foraging trips they must have managed on the rainy nights?

Or am I worrying over nothing?

[Malx]

Forgive my naivety, but doesn't more rain mean more water lying around, and therefore more insects etc? I've seen as many bats here this year as previously, so far at least.

But I agree, it's been a flipping awful summer down here in Southern England too. Gulf Stream was too high this year, I gather.

[excoriate]

My (basic!) understanding is that bats tend to avoid going out in the rain as they get cold pretty quickly after they get wet.
So if they do stay out, they have to use more energy to keep warm.

I think!

[Malx]

I see.
I suppose that there's a trade-off though IF (a big "IF") my theory's right...

Would it be right to assume that - along a similar latitude - there are more bats in dryer climates than wet ones then?

I don't understand the little critters to be honest. I've seen them in preposterously large numbers in Carslbad Cavern in New Mexico which is one of the driest (and hottest) States of the US, but also in caves alongside Lake Malawi in Africa where you can understand why they thrive. Also saw them clinging to the eaves of a French Exchange student's farmhouse in the high hills in Provence, where it's almost as dry as you can be in Europe. Don't start me on the size of their brethren in the Amazon Basin though.... Saw a (measurable) dead one with a wing-span of at least 20 inches.

In short, what is the optimum temperature, humidity, altitude and location for Mr. & Mrs. Bat?

Anyone?

[Dogghound]

In my view its been a far better summer than the last too. Plenty of dry nights here and plenty of bat sightings im not sure without carrying out a full survey over the last few years could you tell if its been better or worse for bats.

[ViperaBerus]

I have them roosting in my eves and in the loft. Brown Long-Eared and Pippestrelles. This year I have seen more juveniles dead on the patio and weak adults too than any other year. I don't know how this correlates with the weather, but insects tend not to emerge either if it's raining, so it must have had some impact on the bats.

[Dogghound]

Bats will still feed in heavy rain, they do prefer dry conditions but its unlikely to stop them. Cold windy weather is the problem. Also alot of woodland feeding bats which hunt under the canopy are not affected by rain due to trees. Bats will travel to feed. Even on rainy nights you do get insects (but less). As I said its been a better summer here and plenty of bats on the detector and in flight 5 out of the 6 local species so far this year for me.