Bat circling the garden every night. (1 Viewer)

[papanatur3]

Basicly as described in the title. Every single night around about 18:00 A single bat (No idea what species) circles my garden over and over for hours. It also flutters around the neighbours large 45/50 ft trees basicly following the same path over and over.

I was wondering a few things..
Would this bat be local or do they fly long distances to feed?
Do they tend to be alone?
Like I do with birds, Foxes.. hedgehogs etc is there anything I can add to my garden that would make life easier for the bat. Type of foods? Shelter?
The garden is pretty vast.. pushing over 100ft lined at the back by 30 ft trees and then miles of fields.

Location is Luton, Beds.

:t:

 

[Farnboro John]

Basicly as described in the title. Every single night around about 18:00 A single bat (No idea what species) circles my garden over and over for hours. It also flutters around the neighbours large 45/50 ft trees basicly following the same path over and over.

I was wondering a few things..
Would this bat be local or do they fly long distances to feed?
Do they tend to be alone?
Like I do with birds, Foxes.. hedgehogs etc is there anything I can add to my garden that would make life easier for the bat. Type of foods? Shelter?
The garden is pretty vast.. pushing over 100ft lined at the back by 30 ft trees and then miles of fields.

Location is Luton, Beds.

:t:

Its most likely a Common Pipistrelle.

I would expect it to be local as you are seeing it straight out of roost.

Bats congregate around particularly good food sources but its not unusual to see singles.

I would just carry on doing what you are doing with your garden. If you own the trees at the end you might consider putting up a bat box or two. If you put up more than one use them as a pair, on different sides of the tree, so any bats using them have a choice of optimal shelters in the event of strong sun or cold wind.

John

 

[papanatur3]

Thanks for the info and tips, I shall look into bat boxes.

 

[llewodowells]

Thanks for the info and tips, I shall look into bat boxes.

Please note, that if you are putting up bat boxes and bats are seen to be using them, you will need a Natural England bat licence to move the boxes or clean out the boxes again.

 

[Farnboro John]

Please note, that if you are putting up bat boxes and bats are seen to be using them, you will need a Natural England bat licence to move the boxes or clean out the boxes again.

Sorry, forgot to mention that.

However, I'm not sure of the advantage of preventing owners cleaning them out over the winter? Surely good hygiene would be as good for bats as lack of disturbance, and I can't imagine bats hibernate in many small bat boxes?

I will be interested to hear fact-based answers.

John

 

[papanatur3]

Thanks for the extra info, Was reading a bit more at the bat conservation trust page also.

Seems I have an ideal garden for bats so no surprise they are around here.

Rough wild overgrown patches along the border.. Tree line and hedges. Pond.
There are 2 bats flying around tonight!

Good times.