Common Pipistrelle

Britain's smallest and most common bat weighs just 3 to 8 grams and has a wingspan of 19 to 25 centimetres. It looks similar to the Soprano Pipistrelle but can be told apart by the sounds it makes when using echolocation. Its calls peak at 45 kilohertz, while the Soprano Pipistrelle’s calls peak at 55 kilohertz. To identify this bat for sure, you need a special bat detector. Its flight is quick and jerky, usually flying 2 to 10 metres above the ground. The fur on its back is medium brown, and the fur underneath is a little lighter. This bat is found all over Britain and Ireland, and across much of Europe, North Africa, and as far east as Asia. It prefers habitats on the edges of woodlands, hedgerows, parks, and gardens. It roosts in buildings, trees, and bat boxes, often changing its roosting spots regularly. It comes out just after sunset to hunt small flying insects, especially midges and mosquitoes. In the summer, females gather in maternity colonies of 200 to 600, while males usually roost alone or in small groups.