A Ranger writes: bats

Our Countryside Rangers have a wealth of knowledge on the places, plants and species that call East Lothian home. Ranger Richard English offers some insights into bats and their behaviours.

Bats have been around for at least 50 million years, which is a whole lot longer than we’ve managed, and there are now over 1400 species worldwide, making up over 20% of mammal species. These range from flying foxes – the size of a small dog – to the world’s smallest mammal, the bumblebee bat. In the UK there are roughly nineteen species, of which nine or ten get as far north as Scotland. All of our bats feed on flying insects, and most hunt by using echolocation, sending out loud signals (beyond the range of our hearing) which bounce back and are picked up by the bat’s incredibly sensitive ears.

The majority of Scottish bats fall into two genera – the Pipistrelles and the Myotis (mouse-eared) bats. There are three species of pipistrelle and, whilst one is very rare, the other two are the bats we’re most likely to see in East Lothian.

Common and soprano pipistrelles often roost in loft spaces and as a result are frequently found in urban areas. Despite the names, soprano pipistrelles are usually the more common of the two, at least in this area. Soprano pipistrelles are small bats, with an average body length of 3.5 to 4.5 cm and a wingspan of 20 to 25 cm. Their weight ranges from 3 to 8 grams. The fur on their back is reddish-brown, while the underside is pale grey or buff. Their wings are broad and short relative to their body. This is an adaptation for agile flight in cluttered environments.

Daubenton’s bats - unique hunters

Of the Myotis bats, the one you’re most likely to spot in this part of the world is the Daubenton’s bat. The species was named after an eminent French naturalist of the 18th century, Louis Jean-Marie Daubenton. This species is a real specialist, feeding fast and low over ponds and slow-moving rivers, leading to some people comparing them to small hovercrafts. Daubenton’s bats have a unique hunting method – in addition to grabbing their prey in their mouths, like most bats, they also use their feet and tail membranes to scoop insects from the water surface.

They tend to roost close to water (unsurprisingly) and may use old bridges and boathouses, although natural caves and tree crevices are also popular. They’re less likely than pipistrelles to be seen in towns, although they’re not uncommon along the Tyne in Haddington or the Esk in Musselburgh.

September can be a very busy time for most UK bat species and Daubenton’s are no exception. The mating season starts around this time, so bats will be busy looking for suitable partners. Males often attempt to attract females by producing special ‘songs’ – these are not as melodic as the name suggests and can include clicks, purrs and buzzes. Although mating mostly takes place in late summer and early autumn, fertilisation is delayed so that the young are not born until the following spring. Most bats also have an eye on the approaching winter and will start to feed up in order to build up their fat reserves, which will (hopefully) see them through hibernation.

Bats are not to everyone’s taste – they’re nocturnal, a bit mousy and are associated with vampires. However, to my mind they’re a superb example of evolutionary adaptation and, a bit more subjectively, just plain fantastic to watch. They are, more importantly, an integral part of ecosystems and deserving of all the protection they can receive. If that’s not enough, they also eat a huge number of midges – and that’s got to be a good thing.

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Scottish Climate Week: 29 September to 3 October

As an organisation, we're committed to reducing our environmental impact and embedding sustainability into everything we do.

Climate Week is a national initiative taking place each year. It offers a chance to reflect on the progress we’ve made and to push ourselves further working with our partners and communities towards the same goal: a more sustainable Scotland were people and planet thrive. 

We are proud and excited to use this opportunity to raise awareness of events around the county and inspire climate action.

On Monday, 29 September there will be the East Lothian Energy Conference at the Corn Exchange in Haddington. Hosted by East Lothian’s MSP Paul McLennan, senior officials including our Chief Executive Laurence Rockey, will discuss the future of low emissions energy in East Lothian.

On Thursday, 2 October, East Lothian Climate Hub will hold a workshop at the Fraser Centre in Tranent about using Local Place Plans to advocate climate action in your area. Local Place Plans are documents created by community councils to inform what their area should look like under our new Local Development Plan. If you have an idea for what development can make your area climate-friendly and climate-ready, sign up for this workshop! 

All week long at the Fraser Centre in Tranent, there will be an exhibit of residents’ Vision for a Thriving, Sustainable East Lothian in 2040. This includes artwork, quotes and images from thousands of residents, including young people.

There will also be lots more behind-the-scenes work with elected members, educators and more!

To learn more or get involved in climate action in East Lothian, reach out to Cheyne Hamm or the Climate Change inbox

We will also promote climate action on social media. For even more community-driven events, check the East Lothian Climate Action Network’s events page frequently.