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Night
Common pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Tiny bats flitting round at dusk, catching insects by sound.
- Size
- Wingspan about 20cm
- Look for them
- April to October
- Where
- Gardens, parks and near water at dusk
My spotter's list
Zig-zag round you, finding their way with sound pings. Move your pointer and see.
Good to know
Six things about bats
SoundSeeing with sound
Bats send out high-pitched calls and listen for the echoes to find their way and catch insects in the dark.
AppetiteMidge munchers
A single pipistrelle can eat thousands of tiny insects in one night.
WeightTiny
A pipistrelle weighs about the same as a 20p coin.
FlyingReal flyers
Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. Their wings are stretched skin between long finger bones.
WinterWinter sleep
In winter bats hibernate in cool, quiet places like old buildings, caves and tree holes.
LawProtected
All bats in Britain are protected by law, and so are the places where they roost.
The real thing
Photos of bats
Out and aboutHow to spot them
Stand near trees, a pond or a street light about twenty minutes after sunset on a warm, still evening and watch the sky against the last light.
Lend a handHow to help
Grow night-scented flowers and keep a pond: both bring the insects bats eat. Put up a bat box and keep outside lights off where you can.
Following youLadybird
Who should follow you?
Bees and hoverflies
Butterflies and moths
Dragonflies and damselflies
Beetles, hoppers and ants
Not insects at all
Snails and spiders aren't insects: a snail is a mollusc, and spiders have eight legs.
Garden birds
Pond animals live on the Pond page: choosing one takes you there.
Pond life
Night garden
Seashore animals live on the Seashore page: choosing one takes you there.
Rock pool life
Woodland animals
Under a log
Meadow life
River animals live on the River page: choosing one takes you there.
River life
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