Daubenton's bat
Myotis daubentonii
Distribution and abundance; Legal and Conservation Status; Population Trends
Description
Listen to how Daubenton's bat sounds on a bat detector
The Daubenton's bat is a medium-sized bat which characteristically flies and forages just above water. It often uses its large feet to trawl for insects from the water surface. In the summer months it roosts near water using bridges and holes in trees. It mainly eats small flies, especially chironomid midges. Data on the population trends of the Daubenton's bats are collected through two surveys: Hibernation Surveys and the Waterway Survey.
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Distribution and abundance
The Daubenton's bat is fairly widespread up to northern Scotland and in Northern Ireland. The maps show the current mapped distribution in the UK on the left and the modelled range in the UK on the right. Maps are taken from 2nd Report under Article 17 on implementation of the Habitats Directive (JNCC 2007).
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Population estimate
Note: The population estimates are considered to be poor and should be treated with caution. Estimates are based on very limited or no population data and rely on expert opinion only
|
Country |
UK |
England |
Wales |
Scotland |
N.Ireland |
|
Number |
560,000 |
95,000 |
15,000 |
40,000 |
410,000 |
|
Source |
|
Harris et al. 1995 |
Harris et al. 1995 |
Harris et al. 1995 |
Russ 1999 |
Legal and Conservation Status
All bat species in the UK are legally protected, both by domestic and international legislation.
Click here for a summary table of all legislation and conventions relating to bat species
Daubenton's bat is widespread throughout Europe and the UK. Factors affecting water quality, riparian habitats including the availability of roosts in trees and artificial structures in these habitats, and underground hibernation sites could all affect populations of this species.
Click here to continue to the population trends for Daubenton's bat
References
Harris S., Morris, P., Wray, S. & Yalden, D. (1995) A review of British mammals: population estimates and conservation status of British mammals other than cetaceans. JNCC, Peterborough.
Russ, J.M. 1999. The Microchiroptera of Northern Ireland: community composition, habitat associations and ultrasound. Unpublished PhD thesis. Queen’s University, Belfast.
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