Who lives with Bats?
Discussion
A short update for anyone still interested.
Our four foundlings are still with us. Two are a little more advanced than their friends and have progressed to solid food, but all are still taking milk when it's offered. But they develop so fast that I think they'll all be weaned fully in a few days.
The brood as a group are maturing. They still find their way in but can't find their way out. I figure if they can fly they can find a roost and it's very mild weather outside so I have caught and released four flight- capable juveniles this evening alone.
Getting pretty good at it!
Soon the pupping season will be over and they will abandon the maternity roost in the roof until next year.
The wildlife conservation man is planning to visit us at the weekend to take charge of the babies who are looking more promising than ever. While he's here he's going to do a proper bat survey and hopefully give us some advice. Which I'm looking forward to as I confess it's been a lot of work saving as many as we can.
They are remarkably individual. One is very vocal when he's eating. Another is a trembler and vibrates gently all the time he's in the hand. But they all share a common peccadillo - they all love having the top of their head gently rubbed with a fingertip. They actively lean into it and clearly enjoy it and who am I to deny them a small pleasure?
Enough for now. Wish us luck keeping them in the world please.
404.
Our four foundlings are still with us. Two are a little more advanced than their friends and have progressed to solid food, but all are still taking milk when it's offered. But they develop so fast that I think they'll all be weaned fully in a few days.
The brood as a group are maturing. They still find their way in but can't find their way out. I figure if they can fly they can find a roost and it's very mild weather outside so I have caught and released four flight- capable juveniles this evening alone.
Getting pretty good at it!
Soon the pupping season will be over and they will abandon the maternity roost in the roof until next year.
The wildlife conservation man is planning to visit us at the weekend to take charge of the babies who are looking more promising than ever. While he's here he's going to do a proper bat survey and hopefully give us some advice. Which I'm looking forward to as I confess it's been a lot of work saving as many as we can.
They are remarkably individual. One is very vocal when he's eating. Another is a trembler and vibrates gently all the time he's in the hand. But they all share a common peccadillo - they all love having the top of their head gently rubbed with a fingertip. They actively lean into it and clearly enjoy it and who am I to deny them a small pleasure?
Enough for now. Wish us luck keeping them in the world please.
404.
Fast and Spurious said:
That's amazing, thanks for the update. Incredible creatures. The only mammal to have mastered flight...and with the world's best sonar!
One day we might evolve to their level ;-)
Agreed. Clever little things. What amazes me is how tough and resilient they are, as tiny and fragile as they are. One day we might evolve to their level ;-)
BTW we're up to five as of a quarter to six this morning, but I'm not too confident about the newcomer. If it lasts the day it has a good chance I reckon.
Only one is still to be weaned and declines solid food for now. But she's growing apace.
Just to close this out from my perspective.
We reared and released another pair successfully a couple of weeks ago.
Nine survivors this year.
Then today the bat-rescue/conservation man visited and took away the group of five we had left, along with all the unused feedstock and some small pieces of bat feeding equipment I gave him.
He takes them to a very good wildlife rehabilitation centre in Ayrshire. I know about the place and I have a lot of confidence in what they do.
The pupping season is pretty much done for this year so I'm not expecting to find any more waifs. I did catch and release a soprano pipistrelle last night, but he was a confused adult male who sneaked in when I took the dog out for her evening wee.
I'll miss the little ones, but someone else can get up at five o'clock tomorrow to get their breakfast!
We reared and released another pair successfully a couple of weeks ago.
Nine survivors this year.
Then today the bat-rescue/conservation man visited and took away the group of five we had left, along with all the unused feedstock and some small pieces of bat feeding equipment I gave him.
He takes them to a very good wildlife rehabilitation centre in Ayrshire. I know about the place and I have a lot of confidence in what they do.
The pupping season is pretty much done for this year so I'm not expecting to find any more waifs. I did catch and release a soprano pipistrelle last night, but he was a confused adult male who sneaked in when I took the dog out for her evening wee.
I'll miss the little ones, but someone else can get up at five o'clock tomorrow to get their breakfast!
Very kind comments, and much appreciated. Thank you. But it's only what most would do with a tiny, naked and utterly helpless baby of any species.
I'm a father and grandfather after all.
And TBH we lost three this year, having found them too late. Poor little sods.
Enough for now I think. As the bat rescue man said this afternoon "see you next year".
He was smiling when he said it...
I'm a father and grandfather after all.
And TBH we lost three this year, having found them too late. Poor little sods.
Enough for now I think. As the bat rescue man said this afternoon "see you next year".
He was smiling when he said it...
Well I enjoyed reading this thread and I salute all of you who willingly share your houses with bats and help them in any way you can.
I've only ever seen one in our garden flying around catching insects at dusk but it was a magical experience as it was so silent as others have said. I'd willingly share my house with them too.
I've only ever seen one in our garden flying around catching insects at dusk but it was a magical experience as it was so silent as others have said. I'd willingly share my house with them too.
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