Key facts
- Gaelic name: Ialtag chluasach
- Wingspan: 23 – 28.5cm | Head & body length: 3.7 – 5.2cm | Weight: 6 – 12g
- When to see: April – October
- Status: European protected species. Protected under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended).
- Species on the Edge areas: Solway; Argyll and Inner Hebrides
Species information
How to identify
The brown long-eared bat is a medium sized bat with long ears (almost as long as their body!), a wingspan of 23-28.5cm, and a head and body length of 3.7-5.2cm. Adults have light brown fur with pale undersides. Juveniles have a more greyish colouration. They have a slow, highly manoeuvrable, hovering flight.
Brown long-eared bats’ echolocation calls range from 25 – 50kHz and peak at 35kHz. On a bat detector the calls are very quiet and are heard as a series of clicks rather like those produced by a Geiger counter.
Lifecycle
Mating takes place in the autumn and active males will continue to seek out and mate with females throughout the winter. Matenity colonies are established in late spring, with one young born around late June to mid-July, and then weaned at 6 weeks. Colony size is between 10 to 20 bats (up to 50), and each brown long-eared can live for up to 30 years. Unlike other bat species, male long-eared bats join the maternity roosts.
They hibernate during winter, usually between November and April. They tend to spend the winters hidden away in tunnels, caves and mines.
Distribution
The Brown Long-eared bat is found throughout the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man. It is absent from Orkney and Shetland, and other exposed islands. It is also common and widespread in the rest of Europe, except for southern Spain, southern Italy and Greece.
Brown long-eared bat UK distribution map. Credit: Bat Conservation Trust www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/brown-long-eared-bat
Habitat and feeding
Brown long-eared bats are usually associated with woodland habitats. They roost in open spaces, often in roof space of older buildings. They also roost in trees. Hibernation roosts tend to be underground. They avoid built-up areas.
They feed on moths, beetles, spiders, earwigs and flies. They eholocate very quietly, or not at all, listening for prey with their big ears. They glean prey from vegetation or even take prey from the ground. They eat small prey mid-flight, but take bigger prey to a perch where they eat upside-down.
When to see
All UK bats hibernate from around November to March. They are most active during the summer months when insect prey is most abundant.
The best time to see a brown long-eared bat is after sunset, when they leave their roosts to hunt. They usually follow linear features like streams, fences and hedges, and fly a bit slower than other bats.
Protection
All bat species found in Scotland are classed as European protected species. They receive full protection under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended).
Threats
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Loss of suitable feeding and roosting in part due to modern intensive agricultural practices and the conversion of barns
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Pesticides, especially when used in roofs where it often roosts on exposed timbers
What Species on the Edge is doing
We know that bat species are in decline in Britain in general, however we are lacking data on how they are doing specifically on Scotland’s coasts and islands. Species on the Edge teams in Argyll and Inner Hebrides and on the Solway Coast are working to learn more about how the brown long-eared bat is faring in these areas and to support its continued presence there. Activity in these areas include:
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Monitoring and surveying
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Engaging with local communities to increase awareness of their local bats
- Working with land owners to co-create habitat management plans
Our work for bats
Resources
- Brown long-eared bat | Bat Conservation Trust
- Support bats| Bat Conservation Trust
- Making a Home for Bats on Your Croft | Farm Advisory Service
- Bats and Biodiversity – Why bats on your farm are a good sign | Farm Advisory Service
If you are interested in learning more about bats, or are interested in supporting bats on your land, get in touch with your local Species on the Edge team.
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