I think it's Pipi ! (2 Viewers)

[Jeff Taylor]

:t: Hello BirdForum.
Not been down this far before on the web-site.
Just like to say that i have had a bat flying over my garden now
for Two years.This is the Third year that i have watched the Pipi
bat.Comes out just after dusk flying over the gardens catching
the moths.I have only counted one thats all i see,think it roosts
in the old church chapel about half a mile away from my garden.
Fly's over the tree tops catching moths,then when it has caught
one it comes down low over the garden,disgarding the wings,
which you find the next morning on the patio.Its wing span is only
about 4 inches long from tip to tip,and body length of about 2 1/2
inches to 3 inches.I can only guess it is a pipistrelle.anyone with
other breeds is welcome to drop me a line i would be intrested on
you're comments.
Regards
Jeff Taylor

 

[jeff]

Jeff,

Pipistrelle's: Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus are Britains smallest and commonest bats. I think the wingspan should be twice what you quote and the body a little smaller though.

Statistics
Body length: 3.5-4.5cm, Wingspan: 19-25cm, Weight: 3-8g.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/291.shtml

http://www.jwaller.co.uk/batgroup/pipistrelle.asp

http://www.bats.org.uk/batinfo/pipis.htm