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Bats

Jacqueline29Jacqueline29 Posts: 340
in Wildlife gardening

Hi I was so excited as I have seen a bat flying around in my garden, as it is getting darker evenings now. It was swooping backwards and forwards catching insects in mid air.

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 56,539

    We love to watch them - they're fantastic aren't they?  In the summer evenings I sometimes lie on the lawn or lounger and watch them swoop down above me - OH says that they sometimes get very close to me - at this time of year we keep the window blinds open until dark as it attracts the moths towards the windows and we can see the bats hunting them. 

    They seem to have learnt that if they swoop around the security light sensor in the garden opposite the light will come on for a few minutes, attracting the moths for them. image

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • pansyfacepansyface PEAK DISTRICT DerbyshirePosts: 15,298

    OUR BATS HAVE LEARNED THE SAME TRICK. QUITE ANNOYING AS I KEEP GETTING UP TO ANSWER THE DOOR THINKING THAT SOMEONE IS COMING UP THE PATH.

    SORT OF LIKE THE BLUETITS THAT LEARNED TO OPEN FOIL MILK BOTTLE TOPS IN THE 60s.

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
  • Muddle-UpMuddle-Up Posts: 14,492

    Loads of useful information on www.bats.org.uk Jacqueline!  

    Enjoy, they're fascinating creatures. image

    Aberdeenshire, NE Scotland 🌞  
    FIDDLESTICKS AND FLAPDOODLE!
  • Hortum-cretaeHortum-cretae Posts: 979

    Just watched noctules and long-eareds while coaching athletics tonight. Flying over the track hunting insects attracted to the floodlights.  Pointed them out to the others but they didn't really engage.  Just asked how I knew they were bats!  

    Cycling a year or so back and one flew into my face. How he missed me, I don't know  I'm 6ft and in a fluorescent jacket. Perhaps his echo location was down!  I picked him up and after a breather he took off again. I wonder what he told his other half when he got in late? Couldn't admit to flying into a cyclist, could he?!   

    H-C 

  • raisingirlraisingirl East Devon, on the Edge of Exmoor.Posts: 3,619

    I expect he told her one of his mates was a bit the worse for the fruit flies and he had to give him a lift home.

    Just as an aside though - and not directed at you HC, just while we're talking batty things - you shouldn't handle bats if you can possibly help it (although leaving a stunned one in the middle of a cycle path to get run over wouldn't be a good option and tricky if they hit you in the face) because they are one of the most highly protected species and you have to have every sort of license to touch them. And there is rabies in the UK bat population image

    We get pipistrelles here - loads of them roosting in the farmhouse roof next door. They take over the aerobatics when the swallows go to bed in summer image. Love watching them

    Flying...
    Or am I falling?
  • Cottage CompostCottage Compost Posts: 374

    Try getting an old redundant wireless aerial or something long and thin with a blob on the top not much bigger than say 10mm diameter. Unravel a wire clothes hanger as straight as you can and place a small blob on one end.

    Hold it up in the air!

    Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Not for the feint hearted but great fun for the onlookers!

    image 

  • pansyfacepansyface PEAK DISTRICT DerbyshirePosts: 15,298

    A BLOB OF ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR?

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
  • Cottage CompostCottage Compost Posts: 374

    Anything, blu-tack, chewing gum.

  • ClaringtonClarington Posts: 4,949

    What does this blob achieve?

    We have bats in the garden, and our local parks too. Makes my evening dog strolls most enjoyable.

  • Cottage CompostCottage Compost Posts: 374

    Try it and find out!

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