Bechstein's bat

Bechstein's bat is a medium-sized and relatively long-eared bat. The adult has a long, fluffy fur which is reddish-brown above and gray-white below. It has a pinkish face, and its ears are long and broad. The wings are dark brown and rather broad, with the membrane attached to the base of the feet. Its wingspan measures up to 30 cm (11.8 in.) and it has a head-to-body length of 5 cm (1.9 in) ==Habits==

Bechstein's bat feeds chiefly on flying prey such as moths, dipterans, neuropterans and other small nocturnal insects. Tree holes, typically woodpecker holes, are used for roosting. Bechstein's bat has also been recorded using artificial nest boxes, but rarely roosts in human buildings. Over the winter, Bechstein's bats hibernate underground and in tree holes. Mating happens in autumn and spring, and delayed fertilization means that young (one per female) are born early in the following summer. Maternity colonies typically form late in the spring. ==Range==

Bechstein's bat can be found in the following countries: Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. A single male was caught and recorded near Colby in Southern Pembrokeshire. By 2016, Bechstein's bats were also known to roost in Sheephouse Wood, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. ==Habitat==

Bechstein's bat is specialized for inhabiting forested areas, and is rarely found outside of them. It is recorded in mixed forests in southwestern Asia, but European populations prefer deciduous forests with high proportions of old trees. Beech and oak woodlands make up a large portion of the animal's habitat. Bechstein's bats are occasionally also found in orchards, gardens and other cultivated areas. ==Protection==

Bechstein's bat is protected under the European Habitats Directive. In the UK it is one of the region's rarest and most endangered species. It estimated that 21,600 individuals exist in the whole region, but the true population size is difficult to estimate and three potential error sources have been identified in this estimate and as such a range of 10,300 and 55,600 individuals is provided. Woodlands containing Bechstein's bats may be considered for notification as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and may attract a grant under Natural England's Environmental Stewardship scheme. On the rare chance one is spotted in the wild, authorities suggest immediately reporting it to a local batgroup or the Wildlife Trust. The High Speed 2 rail line is to run through Sheephouse Wood; a bat protection structure in the form of a tunnel approximately half a mile long is to be built to prevent the Bechstein's bats known to roost in the woodland from colliding with the trains. The projected cost of the structure is £100 million. ==Echolocation==

The frequencies used by this bat species for echolocation lie between 35 and 108 kHz. Its echolocation calls have the most energy at 61 kHz, and have an average duration of 3.3 ms. Most of its echolocation is in the 50–60 kHz range. ==See also==