Natterers bat


	One of the rarer Irish bat species, the Natterer's Bat likes woodland and mature hedgerow habitats. Its usual roost sites, although very few are known in Ireland, are in tree holes and old stone buildings, such as churches. The Natterer's has broad wings, and so can fly with great manoeuvrability among trees. They sometimes glean insects or even spiders from foliage, and may eat larger prey at a feeding perch. A Natterer's Bat has been recorded as living for 25 years, an amazing lifespan for a creature the size of a mouse! This species has a fringe of stiff bristles along the trailing edge of its tail membrane, which may help to hold or trap its prey.

This venture is supported by the WICC programme of Interreg and the Bat conservation group Dublin