Bat ID

griffin100

Last summer we suspected we might have a bat or two somewhere in the eaves of the house but we couldn't be sure. Couple of night ago noticed some bats around the front of the house. Last night went out and sat in the garden at dusk and watched 20 or so bats exit from a tiny paper thin gap between the wall of the house and the soffit / fascia. I haven't been into the attic to check but I dont think I have any in there, I think they're happily sealed up in the wall cavity (will check later).

From looking it up their flight patterns suggests pipistrelles but I'd love to be sure. Does anyone know of a cheap bat detector that could do this for me?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Most likely pipistrelles that in situation.

griffin100

Thanks Srameen.

Checked the attic last night and no signs of bats so I'm happy they're in the wall cavity (for the minute at least)

Was in the garden at first light this morning around 4.30am and there were what I would call a large number of bats (maybe 30 plus) flying around the front of the house. It was amazing to stand in the middle of them all. I just hope they're not all having babies in my soffits

axe2grind

griffin100 wrote: »

I just hope they're not all having babies in my soffits

I'd say your soffits are a busy maternity ward

jmkennedyie

Lucky you! Sounds like a nursery/maternity roost. Mostly females. Just one baby per female. They probably will use other roosts for hibernation later in year. Cool info and pics here: http://www.batconservationireland.org/irish-bats/lifecycle

Re confirming species, is there a bat group nearby? They may be happy to come along and survey with you.
http://www.batconservationireland.org/in-your-area

griffin100

Got the kids out into the garden to watch just now and between 9.50 and 10.00pm approx. 40 bats exited the facia / soffit via a tiny hole. They were surprising vocal before exiting, you could hear them chattering away like small birds as they made their way to the exit hole. There was also a surprisingly wide range of sizes with some much larger than others. Great to watch and the kids loved it.

Just wondering if they are preyed upon by anything? We have a pair of long eared owls that seem to be nesting about a km from the house, we get a sparrow hawk visiting the bird feeders on occasion and there are often buzzards over the house.

123shooter

Most older houses will have bats in their roofs if the situation is right for them. They are a blessing and eat thousands of midges which is great by any means.