Taxonomy
Myotis daubentonii | Daubenton's 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 |
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
- Looking like a small hovercraft as it circles close to the surface of a water body such as a river, canal or lake, its wings quivering, Daubenton's Bat is very easy to identify as no other Irish species behaves in this manner.
- In the hand, this is a medium-sized species with brown fur on the upper side and greyish / buff fur underneath.
- The ears are short and, unlike Natterer's Bat would not project beyond the nose if folded forward.
- The feet are far larger than in either Whiskered or Natterer's Bats.
- The calcar [the spur that leads from the foot along the edge of the tail membrane] reaches two thirds of the way along the tail membrane and there is a flap of skin three-quarters of the length along the edge of the tail membrane.
- The species has pink 'spectacles' - areas of bare skin - around the eyes, and the face is more furred than Natterer's Bat.
- All juveniles have a black 'chin spot' - actually on the lower lip - which begins to fade as the bat grows. It finally disappears completely during the fourth year. The purpose of this spot is not known but it is a useful aid to aging bats in the hand.
Source: Conor Kelleher / Bat Conservation Ireland.
Habitat
Calm, slow-moving water is chosen by Daubenton's Bat as it makes it easier for it to locate insects on the surface. Several kilometres can be covered in a night and distances up to 19 kilometres have been recorded. There is also evidence of sex segregation in Daubenton's Bats with males and females feeding in separate habitats. This species sometimes forages in woodland, away from water, where it can be confused with other Myotis species. However, it tends to stay in the middle of rides whereas Natterer's, Brandt's and Whiskered bats stay closer to vegetation.
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)
- Building and artificial surfaces (BL3)
- Lakes and Ponds (FL)
- Watercourses (FW)
Reproduction
The species mates throughout autumn and winter, with males taking advantage of hibernating females, and the single young is born in June or July.
Males often form separate roosts during the breeding season although some are to be found within maternity colonies. Summer roost sites include maternity 'day' roosts where young are born and 'night' roosts which are used to rest between foraging bouts and also to socialize. Switching between these sites, sometimes with young attached, is common.
The species is known to live to 20 years.
Source: Conor Kelleher / Bat Conservation Ireland.
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE | RANKING |
| Pollution to surface waters (limnic & terrestrial, marine and brackish) | H01 | High |
| Light Pollution | H06.02 | High |
| Agricultural intensification | A02.01 | Medium |
| Removal of hedges and copses or scrub | A10.01 | Medium |
| Anthropogenic reduction in habitat connectivity | J03.02 | Medium |
| Forestry clearance | B02.02 | Medium |
| Reconstruction, renovation of buildings | E06.02 | Medium |
| Continuous urbanisation | E01.01 | Medium |
| Removal of dead and dying trees | B02.04 | Medium |
| Tree surgery, felling for public safety, removal of roadside trees | G05.06 | Medium |
| Closure of caves or galleries | G05.08 | Low |
| Other human intrusions and disturbances | G05 | Low |
| Demolishment of buildings & human structures | E06.01 | Low |
- Wetland drainage
Source: Marnell, F. et al 2009
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 does not suggest any Conservation Actions for the species nor do the 2007 European or 2008 global IUCN Red List.
Sources: Marnell, F. et al 2009; Tony Hutson et al 2007; Stubbe, M. et al 2008.
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)
Western Europe including Ireland and Britain (although absent from northern Scotland), southern Scandinavia to Spain, then east to Japan.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. (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
Daubenton’s Bat has a widespread distribution across Ireland.
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 Daubenton's 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.
Fossitt, J.A. (2001) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council.
Harris S., Yalden D.W. (2008). Mammals of the British Isles :Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society.
Hutson, T., Spitzenberger, F. , Aulagnier S., Coroiu, I., (2007). Myotis daubentonii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 October 2014.Lundy M.G., Aughney T., Montgomery W.I., 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.
Stubbe, M., Ariunbold, J., Buuveibaatar, V., Dorjderem, S., Monkhzul, Ts., Otgonbaatar, M., Tsogbadrakh, M., Hutson, A.M., Spitzenberger, F., Aulagnier, S., Juste, J., Coroiu, I., Paunovic, M. & Karatas, A. 2008. Myotis daubentonii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 October 2014
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