After the appalling weather, we did wonder what effect this might have had on bat numbers. we did not find barbastelles (they tend to turn up in hibernation surveys only when the weather is cold) but found 167 bats. One very noticeable change this year has been the increased numbers of Natterer’s we have found – but we have no idea why this is the case.
Natterer’s bat. Photo Gwen Hitchcock
Some are very kind and lurk quite visibly
brown long eared bat hibernating Gwen Hitchcock
There was even one watching us with a beady eye, which soon closed and he/she seemed to go back to sleep
Others play hard to get or hide in plain sight
can you find the hibernating bat? Photo Gwen Hitchcock
Hibernating bat’s foot. Photo Gwen Hitchcock