I first met Daubenton's Bat in 1999, when a new loch formed just across the road from my house. One evening I thought I would just have a look on the off-chance that this water-loving bat might be present, and within a few seconds was watching two individuals working the water surface in the last glow of the setting sun. Since then, watching the bats has been a summer treat, and an unusual 'party-piece' when interested friends come to visit.

Information on this species (and other British bats) can be found on the Bat Conservation Trust website. Information files (Acrobat .pdf files) on each species can be downloaded from this site.

Daubenton's Bat emerges here in mid-March, and is active until early November, even after significant frosts (-2 deg C). It is best seen on calm mild nights when the setting sun or the moon provides a light background to the water. The bats can then be followed easily with binoculars. Any bat sweeping widely over water within a foot or so of the surface, dipping every few seconds to snatch an insect from the surface, will be Daubenton's. Final confirmation can be obtained with a bat detector, which makes audible its distinctive calls.

If you have a river or loch near you, give yourself a real treat and have a look on a suitable evening, just on dusk. Other bats (pipistrelles and Long-eared Bats) may also be on the wing, but only Daubenton's will confine itself to flying just above the water surface.

This link will show some excellent photographs, but the text is in German!

Records of this bat will contribute to the Highland Biological Recording Group Mammal Atlas, as well as to the BCT scheme. Send records by email giving date, place, six-figure grid reference and any other relevant details.