Go batty for bats this weekend

In recognition of International Bat Night, Katie Prewett shares 10 fun facts about bats and why you should help give them a home.

With the night’s drawing in, why not make the most of wildlife after dark and get involved in International Bat Night this weekend.

This Saturday (29 August), as daylight turns to dusk, people all over the country will be taking part in torch-lit bat walks, talks and spooky celebrations as part of International Bat Night, an annual event organised by Eurobats.

The Bat Conservation Trust will be holding the fifth BatFest weekend in collaboration with the Natural History Museum in London and, in Scotland, we're hosting a Bat and Moth night; all with the aim of spreading the word about the importance of these amazing creatures.

So how much do you really know about our nocturnal flying friends? To inspire you to take part in this year’s International Bat Weekend we’ve put together 10 fun facts* that are guaranteed to make you batty for bats:

1. Bats can fly at speeds of up to 60 mph
2. Bats are not blind, but they can find their food in total darkness using their mouths to create sounds that bounce off nearby objects, such as moths
3. There are three species of "vampire bats" – bats that live off the blood of animals
4. Bats often consume their body weight in insects every night.
5. Bats can live to the age of 30
6. Most bats usually only have one pup a year, making them vulnerable to extinction.
7. “The Flying Fox” is the world’s largest species of bat, with a wingspan of up to six feet. It lives on islands in the South Pacific
8. The world’s smallest bat is the endangered bumble bee bat, found in Thailand. It is smaller than a thumbnail and weighs less than a penny
9. Bats can survive freezing temperatures during hibernation- even after being covered in ice for periods of time
10. Bats are more closely related to humans than they are to mice

At this time of year, young bats no longer rely on their mother’s milk and instead start to feed themselves by catching insects. Keep your eyes peeled this weekend as bats will be dispersing from the maternity colonies that they have been in all summer and going into autumn mating roosts.

The mating season begins in September so it’ll pay to listen carefully for purrs, clicks and buzzing - all special calls males will use to attract females. Some species of bat you’re likely to spot are natterer’s bat, lesser horseshoe bat, common pipistrelle and brown long-eared bat.

Bats play a very important role in the environment; they are important pollinators, pest controllers and seed dispersers, yet sadly numbers have declined dramatically over the last century.

To help give bats a home where you live, try putting up a bat box in your garden and buy some bat friendly plants. This will provide an excellent home for these nocturnal mammals and help in securing a future for bats and other wildlife.

For more information on how to Give Nature a Home, visit rspb.org.uk/homes

* source