Bat of the Day!

[nightshade]

I could do with a sonogram course, anyway looking up software I came across this British Bats - A Guide to Identification Using Sound Analysis, this book is due out in September 2011 by Jon Russ and Sandie Sowler.
Software-wise;
Spectrogram freedownload
Wavesurfer freedownload

[Gill Catton]

Yes I am very much looking forward to this book!

I know Sandie well and she also does courses on using Analook to analise bat calls, though I've not yet been on one, I intend to once I'm back into work after baby.

I do like analook and I think its can be used with files other than those recorded by an anabat.

Incidentally I have found a place where you can rent anabats (£10 a day plus £10 postage) which is most useful for me as I just don't have the capital to buy one outright yet. If anyone wants to know the details feel free to PM me.

[nightshade]

Wavesurfer is used for "driveby" bat detecting by Avonbat Group and they were talking about buying an Annabat for the group to use and loan to individuals.
Spectrogram is from the guy that developed the software for Batbox (I am told)

[The Woodman]

I use BatScan 9.8 produced by Visualisation Software LLC for Stag Electronics - BatBox. Came free with a Baton FD detector and the shown sonograms are from that.

I've also got Bat Sound from Pettersson Elektronik AB but prefer the former as I find it easier.

Never thought to use Analook with recordings from other than Anabat - I'll try it, thanks Gill.

[The Woodman]

Originally Posted by thunder

Let us all know what he says henrya

Reply from John this morning. He says it is a common pip hunting in an open environment with an extended CF call and PF of 40-42 kHz.

I'm pleased to be put out of my misery, it fits with the observed behaviour but I've never recorded pip echolocation like the sonogram shows.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Reply from John this morning. He says it is a common pip hunting in an open environment with an extended CF call and PF of 40-42 kHz.

I'm pleased to be put out of my misery, it fits with the observed behaviour but I've never recorded pip echolocation like the sonogram shows.

I think pips 'misbehave' the most in relation to their echolocation calls! (and actually I've had some bonkers noctules recently too - I'll see if I can find them).

But that's sort of the joy of bats isn't it, learning all of the time.

[The Woodman]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

I think pips 'misbehave' the most in relation to their echolocation calls! (and actually I've had some bonkers noctules recently too - I'll see if I can find them).

But that's sort of the joy of bats isn't it, learning all of the time.

Very true, Gill. It's just a shame we can't post sound files on WAB. Perhaps the opportunity will arrive one day.

I would be interested in listening (if you recorded them) to your "bonkers" noctules.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

I think pips 'misbehave' the most in relation to their echolocation calls! (and actually I've had some bonkers noctules recently too - I'll see if I can find them).

But that's sort of the joy of bats isn't it, learning all of the time.

Quite so, Gill. There are all those 45 Pips who suddenly decide to call at 55! (Or are they 55s who decide to call at 45?)

henrya

[Gill Catton]

Yes on some sites I'd end up with a stack of 'pip 50s'!!

here are the sonograms for the noctule, please note I've shrunk the gaps between calls to get it all on one screen. As for the sound, I don't have recordings but the calls would start off sounding like a noctule (chip chop etc) and then immediately change to sounding more like a serotine/ leislers with a much less steady call - when I was actually there almost thought it was a serotine following immediately behind a noctule too dark to see properly at the time) but it happened too often to be the case! I think it must be some sort of social call built in!

[nightshade]

I based my original guess on pips in my local park, shrubbery hunting call totally different to the open spaces call. All this echolocating takes a lot of energy so they save it when they can. I have seen some bats following a known route and they don't utter a sound. Arriving and leaving roosts they change to all social calls.