Does this bat need help? (2 Viewers)

[annie12]

Hi everyone! First time poster hoping someone here is knowledgeable about bats and can give me some advice

We live in South Wales, UK. For the last two days, a bat has been roosting in our porch. This is a three sided brick porch at the front of our house and the bat is in a top corner, hanging from the wall just below the ceiling, above the front door. Our cat sitter noticed the bat two days ago while we were on holiday and we’ve returned today to find it still there. Comparing it now with the photos our cat sitter texted to us, it does seem to have changed position - so has maybe flown away and returned? - but remains in the same corner of the porch.

I am concerned about whether the bat should be visible in the daytime like this. All the advice I can find online relates to bats that are grounded/on exposed walls but I don’t think a shady corner of the porch necessarily counts as an exposed wall - but seems an unusual place to be, given that it is right above the front door with plenty of comings and goings. The bat is not injured as far as we can see without moving it. I have tried calling the National Bat Helpline but can’t get through. We’ve seen the advice online about containing a bat and releasing it at dusk if needed but we’re reluctant to intervene if the bat is actually safe and happy where it is!

Any thoughts much appreciated

 

[Farnboro John]

Photograph it and let us see what sort of bat it is? It's not the mating or breeding season for Britain's bats at the moment and the weather is warm so a temporary roost out of direct sunlight may be all it needs. If your cat can't reach it, probably no problem and it will leave when the weather changes if not before.

John

 

[annie12]

Hello John, thank you so much for replying so quickly! This is so reassuring. We are happy for him/ her to stay but also don’t want to be cruel if actually we should be intervening. Here is a picture with bonus spider 😉 Should have mentioned that we have indoor cats so no danger to the bat from them. It is indeed rather warm here and very shady in the porch.

 

[Harrybongo]

Hi. Yeah, agree with F.John.... I think, it could be a Brandt's bat?

 

[Farnboro John]

I'm guessing a bit but I think that might be one of the Whiskered/Alcathoe/Brandt's Bat complex (WABs for short among "bat people"). Distinguishing them in roost is basically impossible: Brandt's in particular is clinched by studying the protocones (very very small projections) of some of their teeth, can't remember which.

Edit: it looks fine, anyway.

John

 

[annie12]

Interesting indeed, thanks both - it may be of interest that we live very near to water (literally overlooking water) if that helps narrow down the type of bat!

I am glad no one here thinks this is an emergency … as animal lovers we’re both delighted to see a bat in real life and that he/she has chosen our porch, but also have been very concerned about him/her!

 

[annie12]

Little update for you both, John and Harry - our bat buddy flew away just after sundown! So now we will see if he returns tomorrow. But you were both right, he’s fine! ☺️☺️ Thanks again for the reassurance ☺️

 

[Harrybongo]

Little update for you both, John and Harry - our bat buddy flew away just after sundown! So now we will see if he returns tomorrow. But you were both right, he’s fine! ☺️☺️ Thanks again for the reassurance ☺️

Hi, Annie. No worries! 👍Nice one! ☺