These bats were originally considered to be uncommon, but results from the national Nathusius’ project as well as our very own NBG members’ work, have shown these bats to be quite wide spread in the UK, but at low population level, Nathusius’ bats have been recorded in a number of location in Northumberland and Tyneside.
As a pipistrelle species, Nathusius’ bats look very similar to the previous pipistrelle species. But, they have some very different behavioural characteristics. They are a migratory species distributed widely and patchily across Europe but most often found in Eastern Europe.
Nathusius’ bat having just been ringed as part of the Nathusius’ Project.
They are bigger than both the Soprano and Common Pipistrelles and are known to fly very long distances: a Nathusius’ pip has been found in Jersey having been ringed in Germany! They echolocate at around a peak frequency of around 35kHz, or their calls sound loudest and clearest when a bat detector is at 35kHz. Otherwise they sound exactly the same as the other 2 pipistrelle species.
Research suggests this species likes large lakes as a hunting ground. Which may be why they are often found on the east coast associated with lakes such as at the QE2 Country Park north of Ashington.