100+ bats active at lunch time today

[Hedgehoggy]

A friend has just told me that at around 1pm today she saw a colony of 100+ bats flying around an old building which is situated in one of the many fields on the road which leads to Leeds/Bradford airport. She thinks the old building is used as a scout hall, but can’t be sure.

Given the time of year, as well as the time of day she spotted these bats, does it sound like the bats may have been disturbed, or is this merely normal behaviour as it was a very mild, albeit slightly foggy, day today?

My friend is fully aware of the protection that bats are afforded and wondered if there’s anything she should do about her sighting? I told her I would check here for advice in the first instance!

[Hedgehoggy]

Just to let folk here know (as well as to save anybody the trouble of replying to this thread with advice) The Woodman is kindly helping with this

Thank you TW for your message, it's much appreciated.

[Wild-Woman]

Can you keep us updated on this. Does sound like distubance though. Perhaps this is something we all should be aware of if we come across it.

[Hedgehoggy]

The Woodman is on the case . Will keep you updated of any developments.

I agree, this is something we should all be aware of and know where to turn to for help in these circumstances..... WAB!

[Hedgehoggy]

Update, as promised...

My friend must have been mistaken with her ID!

The Woodman kindly analysed all the data (photos, satellite imagery) of the building in question, as well as the adjoining farmland and farm buildings and reassured us that there wouldn't be that number of bats in a hibernacula in that habitat. Coupled with the fact that I also didn't see any bats flying around on the two occasions I visited the area with my friend (saw large flock of lapwing, BHGs and starlings though! ).

PHEW! I'm just soooo relieved to know there aren't any distressed homeless bats flying aimlessly around that area searching for a new home, as my friend led me to believe!

Now... how to tell my friend that a visit to Specsavers might be on the cards!

[Thanks once again, TW]

[vole-woman]

At least you didn't once alert your friends that you'd seen a little cat stuck up a tree and it turned out to be a plastic bag, ahem.