Brown long-eared bat
Plecotus auritus

 

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Status:

The brown long-eared bat has a widespread and relatively common distribution in Snowdonia. It is found throughout the British Isles (apart from northern areas of Scotland) associated with woodlands of all types.

The species has European Protected Species status in the UK and it is threatened by loss of roost sites and foraging habitat, particularly through woodland management and timber treatment within loft spaces.

UK nursery colonies may be located in trees, especially in rot holes and large cavities. Bat box schemes may be readily adopted by this species for summer breeding. Most roosts however have been found in roof spaces of older buildings and barns, where roosts may be shared with other species such as Pipistrelles, Natterer’s and lesser horseshoe bats. There are a number of maternity roosts recorded in Snowdonia.

The species emerges late, often 1 hour after sunset flying in and around the tree canopy where it forages for moths, flies, beetles and spiders by gleaning off leaves and tree trunks.  When tackling larger insects it may fall to the ground to gain purchase of the prey and then fly to a perch to eat it.

Both males and females may be found at summer roosts (with colony size generally less than 50 individuals). Females give birth to a single baby in early July and the nursery roost generally stays stable until the dispersal to hibernation sites in October. This species exhibits very strong roost site fidelity and may return to the same maternity site over several decades. In winter the hibernation sites are hollow trees and underground mines and tunnels.

The greatest recorded longevity for this species is 30 years.