Nathusius' Pipistrelle

Distribution map for Nathusius' Pipistrelle bats in Warwickshire. (Click for a full sized image)
Distribution map for Nathusius' Pipistrelle bats in Warwickshire. (Click for a full sized image)

Nathusius' Pip in hand 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.

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.

Distribution map for all species of Pipistrelle bats in Warwickshire. (Click for a full sized image)
Distribution map for all species of Pipistrelle bats in Warwickshire. (Click for a full sized image)

Nathusius' Pipistrelle bat call on a Heterodyne bat detector.

  Nathusius' Pipistrelle bat call on a Time Expansion bat detector.

breeding

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

Nathusius' Pip on treeMating 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.

For more information on this type of Pipistrelle check out the website by Jon Russ: Nathusius' Pipistrelle in Great Britain & Ireland


Description  
Head and Body Length 46 - 55 mm
Forearm Length 32 - 37 mm
Wingspan 220 - 250 mm
Weight 6 - 15 g
Colour Red or chestnut brown in summer, dark brown with grey tips after July moult.
   
Life Cycle  
Mating Period Autumn.
Maternity Colonies Established late spring.
Young: two born late July, weaned at 6 weeks.
Colony Size 50 - 200
Longevity Up to 7 years.
UK Status Rare
   
Habitat and Food  
Summer Roosts Hollow trees or cracks in trees, bat boxes,  occasionally in buildings.
Winter Roosts Cliff crevices, wall cracks, caves and hollow trees.
Feeding Habitat Woodland bat - deciduous and pine forests, sometimes parks.
Food Medium to large insects.