If you sit in your garden or head outdoors at dusk in London, you might catch a glimpse of a bat or two on the hunt for insects. There are about 18 species of bat found in the larger London area, and some of them are more common in certain areas. If you are interested in these amazing animals, this article will look at the most common bat species found in London and what else you need to know.

Brown Long-Eared Bat

These are medium-sized bats that are about eight centimetres in length. One of the most interesting things about these bats is that their ears are as long as their body and this is one of their more remarkable identifying features. Their ears are sometimes less obvious because they tuck them under the wings or curl them back while resting so that their tips are the only thing left pointing outwards.

These bats typically fly slowly so they can pick insects from bark and leaves. Their broad wings and tail give them amazing manoeuvrability which is why they can also fly very low or pick insects from windows. Their flight patterns typically include steep dives and very short glides. Although they mainly hunt smaller insects, they can sometimes swoop to the ground to catch larger prey.

Their echolocation sounds are very quiet, and this is one of the reasons why you might not even know they are on your property unless you use special identification devices. They do have very sensitive low-frequency hearing that helps them locate insects from their movement on the ground, bark or foliage.

The best time to see a brown long-eared bat is in the evening after sunset. This is when they leave roosts to hunt their prey. They typically roost in old buildings and create habitats there. The identification of brown long-eared bats is so easy due to their distinct features and the fact that they fly very low.

Common Pipistrelle

The common pipistrelle bat is the most common bat species in Britain, although it has a lower population than the related soprano pipistrelle bat. Both of these species are very common in London and if you see a bat in the area, it is likely one of these two species.

These bats are about seven or eight centimetres in length but have an impressive wingspan of 20 centimetres. They also have black fur, a black face and wings. They are typically found in a wide variety of habitats and where their roots depend on the season. For example, common pipistrelle bats are found in crevices outside newer developments in the summer. Their summer roots typically consist of about 75 bats which are less than that the roosts of the soprano species consist of.

Because they occupy parts of a building typically altered during development, you need to conduct a bat survey before developing a property if you suspect the presence of these bats. Also, they are a protected species, so you need to call a professional bat surveyor to confirm their presence before starting any development projects. A bat surveyor London will identify their presence, differentiate them from other species and tell you their approximate number. They will also produce a report that tells you of the next steps to take.

The best time to see these bats is about 20 minutes after sunset. Their large wingspan allows them to fly fast and in a jerky motion that is very different from how other bat species fly. They can also fly very low to the ground, typically going as low as two to 10 centimetres to pick up insects. They also consume about 3000 insects in one night before retiring to their roosts.

Daubenton’s Bat

Daubenton’s bat is a very distinctive bat species because it has black wings, brown fur and a pink face. It is a medium-sized bat with a wingspan of about 25 centimetres. These bats do not typically fly more than six kilometres from their roosts, but they have been known to travel about 10 kilometres to find pretty. Their top flying speed is an impressive 25 kilometres per hour.

These bats are also known as water bats. The reason is that they can fish insects from the surface of different water bodies using their tails or feet. They do this by using the membrane on their tails as a scoop and their large feet as a gaff. They can also hover above the water surface waiting for prey which is something other bat species do not do.

Their roosts are typically found in dark and damp underground areas typically close to water bodies. They may also roost under bridges and tunnels above rivers and canals. Most of them are found in caves, cellars and minds.

The best time to see them is at dusk close to bodies of water where they do their spectacular swooping motions to identify and catch prey.

Noctule Bat

The Noctule bat is the biggest in Britain, even though it is still smaller than the palm of an average adult. These bats have golden-brown fur and darker face and wings. They also have small, dark brown and rounded ears.

Their pointed wings allow them to fly very fast, up to 50 kilometres per hour, and in straight lines which can make them difficult to spot even though their size can help with that. They fly very high compared to above bats, typically above tree level and will perform dives to chase insects.

They typically eat their prey while flying but will occasionally go to the ground to eat larger prey. These bats are also attracted to streetlamps where they hunt and feed on the moths that are attracted to the light.

Noctule bats are tree dwellers and live in woodpecker and rot holes. They do not typically roost in buildings but can form gathering roosts there.

London has a lot of bat species, some more common than others. If you would like to spot some bats, you will have more luck trying to identify the species above as they are the most common ones in the city.