Nathusius' Pipistrelle       (Pipistrellus nathusii)

Nathusius' Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) is very similar in appearance to the Common Pipistrelle and the Soprano Pipistrelle, although it is slightly larger. The fur is often longer and paler tips give it a frosted appearance. The underparts are pale grey-brown.

This species has been recorded no more than a few times within Cornwall, although it is likely that the species is probably "wintering" in the county.....We need to be on the look out!!

Chris & Sue Harlow our local bat carers have been caring for a grounded female Nathusius' pipistrelle. This bat was found grounded in a shop in Helston  and handed to the RSPCA.

Nathusius' pipistrelle taken into care                                                                  Wing showing characteristic venation (highlighted)

Photos copyright Chris & Sue Harlow

There are very few records of this bat in Britain with only 3 maternity colonies; 2 in Northern Ireland and 1 in Lincolnshire. Single grounded bats are turning up grounded at coastal sites and it is thought that these are migrants from mainland Europe. They have also been found on oil rigs in the North Sea. They may remain here all year round with populations increasing from winter and spring migrants from Scandinavia as they are a highly migratory species. The records tend to peak around mid-autumn and early spring.

flight & ultrasound

Emerging in early dusk, Nathusius' Pipistrelle has a rapid flight with deep wing beats when flying in a straight line. It forages 4 - 15 m above ground along rides, paths, woodland edges and over water.

Nathusius' bats echolocation calls range from 38 - 70 kHz and are best heard with a heterodyne bat detector set to about 39 kHz where a series of clicks turns into 'wetter' slaps towards the bottom of the frequency range. To identify the species of Pipistrelle the frequency dial of the bat detector should be turned up and down until the pitch of the 'wet slap' is at its lowest. It is worth paying special attention to any bat with a 'low point' below 41 kHz.

breeding

The first 2 breeding roosts of Nathusius' Pipistrelle in the UK were found in 1997.

Mating occurs during early autumn at well established mating roosts. Males have mating territories with harems of 3 - 10 females. Females can reach maturity by their first year but most males will not reach sexual maturity until the following year.

Maternity colonies consist almost exclusively of female bats and are occupied from May onwards. Females give birth to two young from late July. The young are fed solely on their mother's milk and females with young to suckle may make several feeding trips during the night, leaving the young inside the roost in a group or crèche. Within three weeks the young make their first flights and by six weeks they can forage for themselves. Most colonies start to disperse soon after the young are weaned.

summer roosts

These are found in hollow trees, bat boxes, cracks in trees and more rarely in buildings. They will sometimes share a nursery roost with other Pipistrelles or Brandt's.

winter roosts

Nathusius' Pipistrelle tends to hibernate in crevices in cliffs, wall cracks, caves and hollow trees.

Information kindly provided by The Bat Conservation Trust

Bats and the law

In Great Britain, all bats are fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended, and by the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations (1994). An agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (EUROBATS) under the auspices of the Bonn Convention, also known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is in force, and all European bats are listed under Appendix II of the CMS .