Bats in Derbyshire
All bat species are protected by law so you should not handle bats without a licence.
There are a few ways you can identify bats, or at least narrow down the choices of identification, without handling them.
If you see bats emerging from their roost, their location and timing can give clue to the species. On the wing, its flight pattern can give a clues to the species of bat. If you have a bat detector, the frequency and rhythm of the sound is a good indicator of the species (with practice!)
Large bats:
Noctule
- A large bat with a fast straight flight above tree lines. It dives steeply when hunting.
- Bats roost in trees, rarely in buildings
- Emerges from roost between 5 and 10 minutes after sunset, occasionally before sunset
- On a bat detector the peak frequency is 20kHz, makes a slow
'chip chop' sound.
To listen to a noctule visit the British Library archive website by clicking the link below and scrolling down the list of mammal sounds.
British Library archive listen to nature pages (external link)
Derbyshire distribution information
Serotine
- A large bat with a relatively slow flight often above roof heights. Flies in loops in open areas.
- Roosts in buildings often old buildings
- Bats emerge between 20 and 25 minutes after sunset
- On a bat detector the peak frequency is 27kHz, makes an irregular 'smack' noise.
Derbyshire distribution information
Medium sized bats:
Leisler's
- A medium sized bat with a fast straight flight above tree lines.
- Roosts in trees and buildings
- Bats emerge from roosts between 10 and 15 minutes after sunset)
- On a bat detector the peak frequency is 25kHz
Derbyshire distribution information
Brown long-eared
- A medium sized bat with a slow fluttering agile flight in vegetation with occasional hovering pauses.
- Roosts in buildings
- Bats emerge from roosts between 45 and 65 minutes after sunset
- On a bat detector the peak frequency is 39kHz.
Derbyshire distribution information
Natterer's
- Medium sized bat with a fast and agile flight at head height in habitats edges and sometimes low over water.
- Roost in trees
- Bats emerge from roosts between 40 and 60 minutes after sunset.
- On a bat detector the peak frequency is 49kHz
Derbyshire distribution information
Small bats:
Pipistrelle (Common, Soprano and Nathusius')
- All are small bat species with a fast erratic flight at head height, often along habitat edges.
- All species roost in trees, buildings (old and new), and bat boxes
- All species emerge between 20 and 30 minutes after sunset, occasionally before sunset
- On a bat detector the peak frequency defines the species ;
common at 46kHz, soprano at 55kHz and Nathusius' at 40kHz
To listen to Common and Soprano pipistrelles, visit the British Library archive website by clicking the link below and scrolling down the list of mammal sounds.
British Library archive listen to nature pages (external link)
Derbyshire distribution information:
Common and Soprano Pipistrelle
Daubenton's bat
- A small bat with fast straight flight, often seen flying over water and feeding from water surface.
- Roosts can be found in stone buildings, bridges and tunnels
- Bats emerge from roosts between 40 and 50 minutes after sunsets
- On a bat detector the peak frequency is 48kHz, makes a rapid regular series of clicks like machine gun fire
Derbyshire distribution information
Whiskered bat
- A small bat with a fast and straight flight at head height along habitat edges.
- Roosts in buildings
- Bats emerge from roosts about 30 minutes after sunset
- On a bat detector the peak frequency is 50kHz, makes rapid irregular series of clicks.
Derbyshire distribution information
Brandt's bat
- A small bat with a fast and straight flight at head height along habitat edges.
- Roosts in trees and buildings
- Bats emerge from roosts about 30 minutes after sunset
- On a bat detector the peak frequency is 50kHz, makes a rapid irregular series of clicks.