Myotis bechsteinii - Bechstein's Bat
Bechstein's bats are very rare, and most recorded sightings have been
in winter. These medium-sized bats have a head-and-body length of 43 to 53
mm and weight between 7 and 13gm.
These bats have long, pointed ears and long, pinkish faces and are
quite easily distinguished from other bats found in the British Isles.
Habitat and flight
You may be lucky enough to see Bechstein's bats beside coniferous,
mixed or deciduous woodland, where they feed on moths, beetles and other
flying insects.
Roosts
On mainland Europe, Bechstein's bats are known to have summer roosts in
trees and occasionally in buildings, and occasionally they make use of bat
boxes. They have small maternity colonies of between 10 and 30
individuals.
Bechstein's bats are sometimes found in underground roosting sites in
Britain during the winter, where they hang freely. Experts believe that
these rare bats may also roost in trees during their winter hibernation, a
period between October and March or April.
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