Bat detecting and frequencies (1 Viewer)

[jimbob]

Good afternoon,

I have finally taken the plunge after years of deliberation and purchased a starter Bat detector; a Magenta Bat 5 to be precise. I put it to use straight away last night, walking around a farmyard pond in Suffolk after dusk. It was a little chilly, but at least 3 Bats were heard thanks to the detector.

For future reference, here is a list of the echolocation frequencies of 16 species of British Bat:
20-25 KHZ Noctule
25 Leisler's
27 Serotine
32 Barbastelle
39 Nathusius's Pip
45 Pip
45 Whiskered
45 Brandt's
45 Daubenton's
45-50 Brown and Grey Long-eared
50 Natterer's
50 Bechstein's
55 Pip
80 Greater Horseshoe
108 Lesser Horseshoe

I had my dial between 45 and 55, hoping for Pips, Daubenten's and Long-eared, maybe Natterer's?
Having been on a couple of Bat walks before, I remembered the sound that Pipistrelles make, and brief views led me to the conclusion that I was watching 2-3 Pipistrelle species. First question: which is the Soprano Pip, is it 45 or 55 KHZ?
I then moved the dial around, hoping for more species in the area. I was picking up sounds at 20 KHZ, which I would describe as 'smacks'. The pattern was similar to the earlier Pips, and I wonder if there is some overlap in frequencies? I couldn't see any Noctules and despite the smacks maybe I was picking up Pips at 20 KHZ?
A walk along the moat that borders the farm and another Bat was heard. A very liquid quality to the feeding sound, this was at 45 KHZ.

I am really pleased I have finally purchased a detector, and I will be using this a lot over the Summer in Norwich and the Broads. But, with so many Bats echolocating around 45-55 I need to learn the sounds. Can anyone recommend any software or websites for doing this?

Finally, as an amateur in all of this, does anyone have experience of national or regional Bat conferences? The East of England conference is in two weeks time, and the workshops on habitat and sound analysis sound like they could be useful.

Cheers,
Jim.

 

[Swindon Addick]

I can't help with most of your questions, but I do know the soprano pip is the one at 55 kHz while the common pip is at 45.

 

[pppppvvvv]

Hello Jim,
The frequencies you describe are the peak frequencies of the echolocation calls. Bats also produce social calls, which could be the 20khz smacks you describe.
The other factor to distinguish between the species is the speed of the calls. Natterer's and Daubentens, and Whiskered/Brandt's calls are repeated much faster than the Pipistrelles.
Also, the Behaviour can help identification: e.g. Daubenten's very low over water.


One final point I would add.. and I have fallen for this in the past. The frequencies you describe are typically for bats commuting over open space. When they are in clutter, the calls can get much faster and of a higher peak frequency. Thus Noctules can become Leisler's!

Have fun. There are some good resources at the Bat Conservation trust website:
http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/uk_bat_species.html

Peter

 

[jimbob]

Many thanks for the advice so far guys. I'm out again this evening, firstly for passerine migrants followed by bats, so will update both here and my blog with anything notable.
Cheers,
Jim.