Common pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Pipistrelles are the commonest British bats, weighing around 5 grams (same as a 20p piece). A single pipistrelle can eat 3,000 tiny insects in just one night!
© Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk
Soprano pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pygmaeus
Similar to common pipistrelle but distinguished by its higher frequency echolocation call.
© Dave Short/www.bats.org.uk
Noctule
Nyctalus noctula
This bat has long narrow wings and flies in a straight line, very high and fast. It’s our biggest bat, but it’s still smaller than the palm of your hand!
© Martin Celuch/www.bats.org.uk
Leislers bat
Nyctalus leisleri
Also known as the ‘hairy-armed bat’, it’s similar to the noctule but smaller with longer fur.
© Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk
Nathusius’ pipistrelle
Pipistrellus nathusii
A previous migrant species, it has only been classed as a resident species since 1997.
© Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk
Brown long-eared bat
Plecotus auritus
This bat’s huge ears provide exceptionally sensitive hearing – it can even hear a ladybird walking on a leaf!
© Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk
Grey long-eared bat
Plecotus austriacus
This bat is generally a little larger than the brown long-eared bat and has a dark face.
© Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk
Brandt’s bat
Myotis brandtii
Very similar to the whiskered bat, only being separated as distinct species in 1970.
© Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk
Daubenton’s bat
Myotis daubentonii
Known as the ‘water bat’, Daubenton’s bats fish insects from the water’s surface with their large feet or tail.
© Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk
Natterer’s bat
Myotis nattereri
Its broad wings enable it to fly slowly and prey on a wide variety of insects, even snatching spiders from their webs!
© Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk
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