one and some are even afraid of them. Folklore has been unforgiving when it comes to these nocturnal creatures, yet these charismatic mammals form an important part of our ecosystem. Not only are they insectivorous, bats are also regarded as ‘indicator species’ because fluctuations in bat populations are linked to habitat change.
B
Hunting To sustain life in the air, bats have a voracious appetite and devour countless insects when feeding, making them a valuable ally of farmers and gardeners – a tiny pipistrelle can eat more than 500 insects in an hour! Although the phrase ‘blind as a bat’ is commonly used, bats have reasonable eyesight but use their ears to hunt at night using echolocation. Whilst flying through the air, bats emit a series of high-pitched squeaks (mostly inaudible to our ears) and the returning echoes relay information about objects and prey ahead.
Roosting Bats roost in various places, such as in caves or hollow trees where they hang upside down by their hind legs to rest and sleep. Many also shelter in crevices or in the roofs of buildings. Whether in the countryside or our homes, all bats are vulnerable to disturbance and during the breeding season will abandon their young if disturbed.
Hibernation All our bats in the UK hibernate as there are fewer insects to feed on during the winter months. They find somewhere that’s sheltered, cold and humid like a cave and tuck themselves away. Their body temperature drops and their heartbeat slows to conserve energy, but if their fat reserves run out they will wake and move to a new site to look for food.
ats account for more than a quarter of our resident mammals in the UK, yet many people haven’t seen
“To sustain life in the air, bats have a voracious appetite and devour countless insects when feeding, making them a valuable ally of farmers and gardeners”
Cumbria’s bats
Of the 17 species of bat found in the UK, eight are resident in Cumbria. Our species are: common and soprano pipistrelle, brown long eared, noctule, Daubenton’s, whiskered, Brandt’s, and Naterer’s. These are the ones you’re most likely to see:
1 COMMON PIPISTRELLE
This bat is so small it can fit in a matchbox! It is our most common bat and the bat you’re most likely to see in your garden. Their flight is erratic as it darts about aſter insects.
1 2 DAUBENTON’S
Sometimes referred to as the water bat, look out for Daubenton’s feeding over water at twilight. These bats are fast and agile in flight as they skim the surface looking for small flies. They roost under bridges or tunnels and in holes in trees close to water.
3 NOCTULE
Our biggest bat, but still smaller than the palm of your hand. It has long narrow wings and its flight is characteristically long and fast. Roosts in bat boxes and holes in trees, but rarely in buildings.
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Cumbrian Wildlife | September 2019
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