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Daubenton's bat

© Dale Sutton/2020vision

Four bat species you are likely to see in London

Bats are nocturnal mammals, seen dimly at dusk and very occasionally during the day. They are most active in the summer months when they can sometimes be spotted swooping around as they catch their insect prey in flight. 

 

Use our guides below to find out how to identify some of the bat species you might find around London!

An illustration of common bats you will find in london, text reads, common pipistrelle, brown long-eared, daubentons, Noctule
An illustration of a common pipistrelle bat, text reads common pipistrelle, wingspan:190-225mm, our smallest bat, their flight is fast and agile, They emerge from their roost around 20 minutes after sunset, feeding on flies.
A brown long-eared bat illustration, text reads, brown long-eared , wingspan 230-285mm, a distinctive medium-sized bat, the brown long eared had ears almost as big as its body. It catches prey from the air, ground and trees.
an illustration of a daubenton's bat, text reads, daubenton's, wingspan, 240-275mm, This medium sized bat is found predominantyl near waterways where they catch and eat flies from the air of from the surface of the water
a illustration of a noctule bat, text reads, noctule, wingspan: 320mm - 400mm, one of the largest UK bats, with narrow pointed wings. Look our for them before sunset, diving at great speeds to catch their prey.