The strong connection between mother and baby was clearly demonstrated recently when a baby Pipistrelle bat was miraculously re-united with his mother.
A Wareham householder contacted Natural England for advice concerning a baby bat found nestling in a blanket in his living room. The baby was collected and taken to voluntary bat warden Sally Humphreys, a Natural England licensed bat-carer and member of the Dorset Bat Group. Weighing only just over 1g, (less than the weight of a 5p piece!), the baby bat was immediately fed and watered and after a thorough inspection Sally decided he was in good enough condition to try and return him to his mother.
Local residents would have been forgiven to think the lady standing outside in the dark with an opened patio parasol was a little batty, not least if they’d seen the little baby bat clinging to its top. Bemused they may have been, but Sally was waiting to see if the baby bat’s mother would respond to his cries. Amazingly, after a little while the mother bat appeared, swooped down to her baby on the brolly and gave him a thorough wash! A few moments later she flew off, carrying her baby safely back to the roost where he belonged.
Sally Humphreys said,
“ We always try to return stranded infant bats to their mother but sadly it is often not successful. To watch the anxious parent swoop in to collect her baby was a truly wonderful experience and we are delighted that we were able to reunite this little bat with its mother”.
Sue Moore of Natural England said,
“The work of our voluntary bat wardens is essential to the successful protection and conservation of Dorset’s bats.. Their dedication and expertise is exceptional. To hear that Sally successfully returned the baby bat to his mother in this way was amazing, and such good news.”
At this time of year female bats will be nursing their single pup which will stay with its mother until the maternity roosts break up at the end of summer. Occasionally youngsters are accidentally dropped or get knocked out of the roost. Normally the mother bat will retrieve her youngster but occasionally young bats are found that need help. Anyone finding a stranded bat should contact Natural England on 01929 557450.
Ends
Notes for Editor:
- There are 16 bat species known to breed in the UK, all of which are found in Dorset. All bats in the UK are protected under UK and European Law.
- Bats roost in groups in trees, buildings (especially roof spaces), bridges, caves, mines and other structures. Roosts may contain few bats, or they may host several species and many individuals. Different roosts are used at different times of year, as a range of conditions are required for hibernation, mating, and breeding. Bats also commute regularly between roosting sites and feeding areas and often use large trees and hedgerows to navigate. A single bat may use as many as thirty different sites throughout just the summer months.
- There are a number of stages in the life cycle of a British bat, which are particular to different times of year. As a general guide, bats hibernate from October through to March. From March to May, bats are active and feeding. From May, females form large maternity colonies and give birth to young usually between June and July. From August/September, mothers start to leave the nursery roosts, followed by the young a little later and mating occurs. In October, bats start to look for winter hibernating sites again.
- Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. We promote access, and recreation and contribute to the way natural resources are managed so they can be enjoyed now and by future generations.
- For more information about this press release please contact Sue Moore on 01929 557458 or John Stobart on 01929 557465.