Taxonomy
Plecotus auritus | Brown Long-eared Bat
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| Range | Favourable |
| Population | Favourable |
| Habitat | Favourable |
| Future Prospects | Favourable |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Favourable |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | N/A |
| Ireland (1) | Least Concern |
| Europe (2)* | Least Concern |
| Global (3)* | Least Concern |
* The global and European assessment documents are identical for this species, as the documents state the species is endemic to Europe.
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Annex IV
- Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix II
- Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS)
- Wildlife Act (1976)
- Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
- Wildlife (N.I.) Order of 1985
Native status
Native.
Species Biology
Identification
In Ireland, in the hand, the Brown Long-eared Bat cannot be mistaken for any other bat species due to its striking ears which are almost as long as its body - up to 41mm in length - which make the bat appear larger than it actually is.
In flight, the ears are extended forward, ahead of the bat but, at rest, the ears are folded sideways into 'ram's-horns' and, in hibernation, they are tucked away beneath the wings to prevent exposure.
The tragus is very long and broad and can be mistaken for the pinna when the bat folds this under its wings.
The fur is long, thick and silky, brown to yellowish on the upper side and greyish-brown on the lower.The under fur is a pale, buff brown.
The face is pink and bare.
The temperament is very docile and the bat behaves timidly when handled.
Its large eyes make the species especially endearing.
Source: Conor Kelleher / Bat Conservation Ireland.
Habitat
The Brown Long-eared Bat prefers to forage in parkland, open deciduous and coniferous woodland, orchards and gardens but it is slow to leave its roost and it is often fully dark before it emerges 50 to 60 minutes after sunset. As its prey are available throughout the night on foliage it need not hurry out as the hawking bat species do to take advantage of the increased activity of insects at dusk. Also, being a slow flier it may also be avoiding falling prey to predators such as sparrowhawk. The Brown Long-eared Bat feeds throughout the night.
Brown Long-eared Bats have a liking for large roof spaces as they prefer to fly within the building, for some minutes, before emerging for the night's foraging. They are frequently found in older buildings, in lofts, barns, stables etc. Usually, they cluster along the ridge beam or next to a chimney. The species also makes use of trees as summer roosts and colonise bat boxes readily.
Source: Conor Kelleher / Bat Conservation Ireland.
Habitats include but are not necessarily limited to;
- Semi-natural woodland (WN) [but probably not Bog woodland (WN7)]
- Highly modified non-native woodland (WD)
- Scrub / transitional woodland (WS)
- Linear woodland / scrub (WL)
- Scrub (WS1)
- Horticultural land (BC2)
- Stone walls and other stonework (BL1)
- Building and artificial surfaces (BL3)
- Riparian
Reproduction
Mating can occur from autumn through to spring, including during hibernation period.
Sperm is stored by females until ovulation with ovulation beginning shortly after the end of hibernation in March-April.
Gestation is between 60 and 70 days.
Young are suckled but weaned after about 6 weeks.
Sexual maturity for most males and females occurs in the year following the birth year.
Individuals may live from 3 to 30 years.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE | RANKING |
| Removal of hedges and copses or scrub | A10.01 | High |
| Forestry clearance | B02.02 | High |
| Forest exploitation without replanting or natural re-growth | B03 | High |
| Removal of forest undergrowth | B02.02 | Medium |
| Removal of dead and dying trees | B02.04 | Medium |
| Roads, motorways | D01.02 | Medium |
| Light Pollution | H06.02 | Medium |
| Anthropogenic reduction in habitat connectivity | J03.02 | Medium |
| Agricultural intensification | A02.01 | Medium |
| Reconstruction, renovation of buildings | E06.02 | Medium |
| Continuous urbanisation | E01.01 | Medium |
| Death by injury or collision | G05.11 | Medium |
| Tree surgery, felling for public safety, removal of roadside trees | G05.06 | Medium |
| Use of biocides, hormones and chemicals (forestry) | B04 | Medium |
| Other human intrusions and disturbances | G05 | Medium |
| Demolishment of buildings & human structures | E06.01 | Medium |
| Closure of caves or galleries | G05.08 | Low |
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Conservation Measures in place or in the process of being implemented during the period were listed for this species.
Source: NPWS 2013.
The 2009 Irish Red List of Terrestrial Mammals suggests the following as important for this species;
- Continuity of tree-lines, hedgerows and other linear landscape features in the vicinity of known roosts.
The 2008 iUCN Red List at European and Global levels suggests the following as important for this species;
- Maintenance of natural habitat, especially forests with mature trees is required.
In a 2007 All Ireland Species Action Plan for Bats a total of 37 Actions
were identified for all bat Irish bat species as part of the plan. This
species was included in a 2009-2011 Vesper Bat Threat Response Plan.
Sources: EHS / DEHLG 2007;NPWS 2009.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Widespread distribution throughout most of Europe (excluding the south of Spain, Italy and Greece, northern parts of Scandanavia and all of eastern and central parts of Russia.). Has been recorded in northern-most parts of Iran and western-most parts of Kazakhstan. Records in the far east may be of cryptic species.
Sources: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008; Hutson, A.M. et al 2008.
Accuracy of world distribution shown in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) map below will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held but not shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.
Irish distribution
Widespread distribution and thought to be one of the most abundant bat species within Ireland and has been recorded on several off-shore islands.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to improve our knowledge on the distribution of the Brown Long-eared Bat in Ireland. Should you observe this bat species, please submit sightings to add to the database. Detailed observations will assist us gaining a better insight into where the species is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at;
http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php
All
records submitted on line can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked
and validated these will be added to the Mammals of Ireland Database and
made available for conservation and research.
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie
References
Publications
Environments and Heritage Service / Department of Enviroment,
Heritage and Local Government (2008) All Ireland Species Action Plan
Bats.
Harris S., Yalden D.W. (2008). Mammals of the British Isles :Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society.
Hutson, A.M., Spitzenberger, F., Aulagnier, S., Coroiu, I., Karatas, A., Juste, J., Paunovic, M., Palmeirim, J. & Benda, P. 2008. Plecotus auritus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 October 2014.
Hutson, A.M., Spitzenberger, F., Aulagnier, S., Coroiu, I., Karatas, A., Juste, J., Paunovic, M., Palmeirim, J. & Benda, P. 2008 (a). Plecotus auritus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 October 2014.
Lundy MG, Aughney T, Montgomery WI, Roche N (2011) Landscape conservation for Irish bats & species specific roosting characteristics. Bat Conservation Ireland.
Marnell, F., Kingston, N. & Looney, D. (2009) Ireland Red List No. 3: Terrestrial Mammals, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland
NPWS (2009) Threat Response Plan: Vesper bats (2009-2011). National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government,Dublin.
NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.