Bats in my garden

squire1 · Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 34

Hi, I wonder if someone can help. Four months ago I moved into a newly built house in the countryside and have noticed a lot of bats flying around at dusk (or maybe just one bat that I notice a lot of times Wink

)

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows how I can find out where they might be nesting/roosting/hanging out. I'm pretty sure they are not in the attic of the house, there are no old or disused buildings near me. There are a lot of mature trees on the site, do they roost in trees?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm planning on cutting back a hedge that runs along one side of my site. The hedge is about 20Ft high and 8Ft thick made up of many different bushes. Obviously I do not want to disturb the bats by cutting back this hedge if that is where they are hanging out.

Are there any signs I should look out for to indicating where they might be nesting? Do they migrate or hibernate? When do they have young?

GPI · Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:35 am Post subject:

Squire, one of the IG members is actually a bat expert.
I have e-mailed him to alert him that there we have a bat query here.
So, sit tight.

Bugs · Ash Tree Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Location: Dublin

Hi Squire , heres some info on Irish bats
Cool

Bugs

www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/factsheets/bat/index.html
_________________
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
Carpe Diem

squire1 · Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 34

Thanks. I'll give Duchas a call and speak to the experts. It looks like I could be committing an offence by cutting back the hedge if that is where they are roosting.

I'll update the topic if I get a resolution, for future information

mark smyth · Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject:

here I am now.

As you may know bats and their roosts are protected by law because of their falling numbers but they wont be roosting in the hedge. They will be in the cavity wall of a modern house. Research has shown that bats use houses under 25 years old. They do no damage while in there and dont build nests. They dont chew their way in but use an existing hole. They do use holes in trees but these are rare and usually found when the tree has been felled. Younf are born from the end of May to early June and are flying in 4 weeks. At six to eight weeks they are independant. Each female bats has only one but rarely twins. A young bat is called a pup. For more info on bats visit my web site www.batdetective.com

Bugs · Ash Tree Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Location: Dublin

Great site Mark , practically all one needs to know about bats Laughing

great name also .
Cool

Bugs
www.batdetective.com
_________________
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
Carpe Diem

mark smyth · Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:04 pm Post subject:

thanks

squire1 · Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 34

Hey Mark, I'll bet you're sick of being called "batman" Very Happy

Thanks for the info. You seem fairly sure that the bats would not be roosting in the hedgerow so I presume I'll be safe enough cutting it back.

I will however still try and locate their roost and make sure it is kept safe. Facinating creatures. Have you any idea of the typical hunting range of bats. The ones I see are fairly small (about 5" wingspan or less) and I am assuming their roost is local (within a couple of hundred meters) as I see them most nights.

Bugs · Ash Tree Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Location: Dublin

Hi Squire , if Mark is called "Batman " maybe you should change your name to " Robin " Laughing

Bugs
_________________
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
Carpe Diem

mark smyth · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:07 pm Post subject:

yes heard it all before and all the questions. Two facts for you. Bats are NOT blind and they DO NOT get stuck in hair. These 'facts' are believed all over the world. I just about to go out to do a bat survey but when I get back will I show some photos of bats? I'll start with one of the least common bats, Leisler's bat. Now that I've looked how do I post photos?

GPI · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject: Posting bat pics

Bugs · Ash Tree Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Location: Dublin

GPI has a post on this . Go to How do I ? then How to post pictures .
I have a photobucket account . Check www.photobucket.com . and register , its free . Download your photos from your computer . Sometimes if your pics are too big it will make them smaller . Then follow GPIs post on how to put them on to Irish Gardeners . Any problems PM me and I will take you through it . That goes for all members of Irish Gardeners. com
Cool

Bugs
_________________
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
Carpe Diem

GPI · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

squire1 · Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 34

squire1 · Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 34

Just an update. I've had no luck locating the bats "roost". They must be located a bit further away than I assumed. I'll do some research over the winter and be ready for them when the come out in the spring.

I did give Duchas a call but as yet have had no reply. Sad