Bat ID please (Somerset) (1 Viewer)

A

Adrian D

Well-known member

• Jun 23, 2013

• #1

I would be grateful if someone could offer an ID for the attached photo please.

The bat was flying at midday (after a cold wet night) over a road and out over water, appearing to pick items from the water surface. It was observed doing this for about 20 mins flying a regular pattern.
The photo was taken on the Avalon Marshes in Somerset last week.
It appeared to be a medium-sized bat, slightly larger that a Pip or Long-eared, but not as large as a Noctule, however, my knowledge of bats is fairly basic.

My best guess is a Natterer's Bat, but happy to be corrected.

 

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Mike Richardson

Formerly known as Skink1978

• Jun 23, 2013

• #2

Perhaps it's more likely to be a Daubenton's Bat going by its behaviour. They're the species most often seen picking up insects from the surface of water.

 

Ficedula

velico ergo sum

• Jun 23, 2013

• #3

Eptesicus serotinus Schreber, 1774 (Serotine)
note projection of tail tip beyond membrane,

 

Mike Richardson

Formerly known as Skink1978

• Jun 23, 2013

• #4

Ficedula;2758305note projection of tail tip beyond membrane said:

Well spotted. I must admit to not looking at the photo very closely as I was using my phone.

Click to expand...

 

A

Adrian D

Well-known member

• Jun 23, 2013

• #5

Thank you for your replies,

My first thought was indeed Daubenton's due to their association with water, but it was the tail membrane joining the leg higher than where the wing-membrane joins which led me to think it may be a Natterer's (based on the photos in a field guide I have.

Is the projection of the tail-tip beyond the tail membrane the definitive ID clue to it being a Serotine then?

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• Jun 25, 2013

• #6

Also note the uniform colour of the body fur: both Natterer's and Daubenton's are dark above, whitish below.

John