Bat House Forum

[Dave Miller]

Here is an interesting article about bats' use of tree roosts in the UK. It is from an arboricultural/ecological consultant in the UK.

It is interesting to see photos of the tree cavities/structures used by bats.

http://www.arborecology.co.uk/articles/ ... r_bats.pdf

[Erik]

Hi Dave,

Tree roosts are very interesting indeed. Last year I was surprised by finding a peculiar roost...but than bats keep surprising all the time .
Last October my girlfriend and I were walking on a beautiful afternoon in a forest where I have done some bat research last year. As a bat freak I am always alert on potential bat roosts, also in places that are not so straightforward.
In a young beech next to the path I found a hole at +- 1,5 meter height. I know bats favor roosts with a high entrance point for example a roost entrance above 3 meter, but I took a look anyway (without a flashlight or a camera).
To my surprise there were bat droppings at the bottom of the hole and I even thought I heard one or more bats squeaking.
I convinced my girlfriend that this was a opportunity to find a new tree roost (and it cost me a candlelight dinner in the negotiations) and went home to get a tree camera and infrared camera. Here is the result:
The intro says: Common Pipistrelle in a tree hole at 1,5 meter height. First you see images from the tree cam looking in to the tree roost. Then you see images from the Infrared camera (sony Nightshot and IR-light) showing the roost entrance.



By the way, this species normally roosts in buildings, but in the mating season (autumn) males occupy mating roosts in tree holes and behind loose bark as well.

greetings,
Erik

P.S. Spring has finally arrived in the Netherlands and the bats are returning to my bat houses as well!

[Dave Miller]

Thanks for the video and info, Erik. That is interesting that the bats didn't seem to mind that the hole was so low to the ground.

You must have a very understanding girlfriend! Does she share your interest in bats?

I was at a conference recently for people who like to volunteer at wildlife refuges. I was talking with someone about their cabin on a lake and I casually asked if they happen to have a bat house. To my surprise they said yes! That was the first time I have ever asked someone if they had a bat house and they said yes...

Dave

[Erik]

Hi Dave!
Yes, my girlfriend is very understanding most of the times. On the other side she knows how strong my passion about bats is, so she has a strong position to demand something in return.

Today we checked my bat houses and some of the trees in the area with promising cavities or loose bark. To my joy we found two Noctules (Nyctalus noctula) in a huge crack in a beech. Always great to see bats in their natural habitat. Very nearby this tree we have a bat house occupied by five Noctules.


Here is my bat-friend Jos standing next to the tree.



And these are the two Noctules.

Bigger pictures can be found on my Flickr-page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26362372@N02/.

Erik

[Joe Spencer]

Great video Erik! Thanks to you I am learning more about European bats. I didn't realize the noctules' territory was so widespread.

[IowaNate]

Awesome stuff Erik! Your videos and photos never cease to amaze me with the great quality and content. I am currently searching for my relatives in the Czech Republic and hopefully get a few of my bat houses hung there and have reports on them. Your posts really help me understand more about European bats' needs!

[Erik]

Hi Joe and IowaNate,
I am glad my experience with bats here in Europe is of interest to you or helpful in one way or another. 90% of what I know about bat houses I learned from North American Bat House Literature (The Bat House Researcher and the Builder's Handbook) and from you guys on this forum.
So thank you in the first place!

[Erik]

In addition to Dave's earlier question about whether my girlfriend shares my Interest in bats:



Need I say more? She doesn't always join me in fieldwork, but when she does we have great fun!

Erik
(But now we are wandering of the topic, which is Tree roosts)