The Batty Mouse

Notes From The Downs

Bats have long been associated with horror and hallows eve and yet in October, the bats of the UK are more likely to be looking for food to increase their fat reserves ready for their winter hibernation. They are not at all interested in terrorising trick or treaters. In fact they are not all interested in that at any time of year! By the end of October they are tucked up in their beds for the winter, hibernating until the cold weather has passed and the warmth of the spring is once more with us.

There are around eighteen species of bat found in the UK, some of them are extremely rare and therefore protected species. There are six you are most likely to find if you go bat watching in the UK. These are Brown long-eared bat, Common Pipistrelle, Daubenton’s Bat, Noctule Bat, Serotine Bat and Soprano Pipistrelle Bat. All of them are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand although, due to the fact that some of these species are endangered, handling a bat is not recommended unless you have a licence and know what you are doing.

In a survey conducted in our village in 2018, common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, serotine, noctule, natterers, brown long-eared and barbastelle bats, which are extremely rare, were all noted to be flying here.

In September last year as I walked back through the meadow after a sunset walk, the