NOCTULE Nyctalus noctula

 

Status: Native; Uncommon (mainly found in Southern Britain)

 

Habitats:  Above woodland; high over grassland; Parkland; River/Lake

 

A large bat, with sleek golden tinged or ginger fur and a neat, well-groomed appearance.  The wingspan of this species is 33-45 cm, and mature bats can weigh up to 50 g.

 

This is typically a parkland / pasture inhabiting species, and is often seen flying high above tree canopy height (up to 300 metres from the ground).  Their long, narrow wings aid rapid, direct flight (often around 30 mph), allowing this species to feed considerable distances from the roost (over 4-5 miles is not unusual).  It is one of the earliest species to emerge from its roost (it can sometimes be seen feeding alongside swifts and swallows), it can also feed again around dawn, but tends to return to the roost during the night, to rest.

 

Moths and other large insects form the majority of the diet.

 

This species tends to roost almost exclusively in tree holes (both in summer and winter); including disused woodpecker nest holes.  They occasionally use bat boxes, as well as bridges and buildings.

 

Nursery roosts typically comprise around 20 females (a relatively low number); males tend to roost singly or in small groups.

 

Studies in Eastern Europe have revealed that this species is migratory; flying up to 2000 km between summer and winter roosts, however in Britain it is considered to be more sedentary.

 

The British population of is estimated to be around 50,000 bats, with far more bats being present in south of the Midlands and in Wales. 

 

Noctules can sometimes be heard when hunting by the human ear (particularly by children who have more sensitive hearing at higher frequencies).  On a bat detector, this species has a ‘chip chop’ call, which is loudest around 22-25 KHz.