NATHUSIUS’ PIPISTRELLE Pipiestrellus nathusii

 

Status:  Recent colonist to Britain; status not fully known

 

Habitats:  Woodland; Grassland

 

Slightly larger than the other two pipistrelle species, and much less common.  This species was thought to be a vagrant to Britain until 1985, but since then it has been found with much more regularity.  Most records are in May and September, suggesting that this is a migratory species, flying to Britain from the continent.  Some European bats have been recorded flying 1600 km (1000 miles) between summer and hibernation roosts, and one bat found in Jersey had been ringed in Germany.

 

In recent years, a number of breeding roosts have been found across the country, such as in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, and it is suspected that this species is more widespread than previously thought.  It may occur in South Yorkshire.

 

The Nathusius’ pipistrelle is a red / chestnut brown colour in summer, and is darker in winter (after the autumn moult).  It is light brown to yellow-brown underneath; whereas both of the other pipistrelles species are essentially the same colour on their dorsal (upper) and ventral (lower) sides.

 

The Nathusius’ pipistrelle is essentially a woodland bat, preferring lowland woods and parks; it’s foraging style is similar to other pipistrelle species, but appears less agile.   This species echo-locates at a peak frequency of 40 KHz (lower than both of the other pipistrelle species). 

 

Nursery roosts in Europe tends to be within tree holes, but it will readily use bat boxes and crevices in wooden buildings.  It seldom uses buildings in Europe, although interestingly most of the British roost records do relate to buildings.

 

Like other pipistrelles, the males appear to use a distinctive call to attract females to their autumn mating roosts.  However, Nathusius’ pipistrelle males differ in that they call from perches, rather than in a display flight.