UK Bat Emergence Times and Call Frequency Reference
A simple field reference for bat detectors: emergence timing, call ranges, likely heterodyne detector sweet spots, and broad habitat associations.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Emergence | Call Range | Detector Range | Habitat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandt’s | Myotis brandtii | +20 to +60 | 45 - 50 | 45 - 48 | woodland, edge, garden | Very similar to whiskered; clutter forager |
| Brown Long-Eared | Plecotus auritus | +30 to +90 | 25 - 50 | 25 - 50 | woodland, garden, buildings | Often very quiet; may hear wing rustle more than calls |
| Daubenton’s | Myotis daubentonii | +10 to +40 | 35 - 85 | 45 - 50 | water, rivers, lakes | Strong over water; buzzing near surface |
| Greater Horseshoe | Rhinolophus ferrumequinum | +20 to +60 | 80 - 85 | 80 - 83 | woodland, pasture, buildings | Constant frequency; very stable tone |
| Lesser Horseshoe | Rhinolophus hipposideros | +10 to +40 | 108 - 115 | 105 - 110 | woodland, buildings, sheltered valleys | High, pure tone; often first detected as steady whistle |
| Natterer’s | Myotis nattereri | +20 to +60 | 45 - 50 | 45 - 48 | woodland, edge, garden | Quiet, clutter specialist; often hard to detect |
| Noctule | Nyctalus noctula | -10 to +10 | 20 - 45 | 22 - 28 | open, parkland, above canopy | Often before sunset; loud, fast commuting |
| Common Pipistrelle | Pipistrellus pipistrellus | +5 to +30 | 20 - 30 | 20 - 30 | urban, garden, edge | Social / commuting |
| Common Pipistrelle | Pipistrellus pipistrellus | +10 to +40 | 40 - 55 | 40 - 50 | edge, woodland, garden | Hunting; feeding buzz with lower sweep audible |
| Soprano Pipistrelle | Pipistrellus pygmaeus | 0 to +30 | 50 - 65 | 50 - 60 | water, rivers, wetland | Strong around water |
| Soprano Pipistrelle | Pipistrellus pygmaeus | +10 to +40 | 55 - 80 | 55 - 80 | water, wetland, edge | Hunting; higher, sharper than common pip |
| Whiskered | Myotis mystacinus | +20 to +60 | 45 - 50 | 45 - 48 | woodland, edge, garden | Indistinguishable from Brandt’s on heterodyne |
Notes:
- Emergence is expressed as time in minutes relative to sunset, with negative numbers being before sunset and positive numbers after
- Frequencies are expressed as KHz
- The detector range relates to the optimal frequency range for a heterodyne detector
The information presented here is a synthesis of widely available field knowledge on UK bats, drawn from general field guides and acoustic survey references. Frequency ranges, emergence timings, and habitat associations reflect general consensus values rather than original research. The structure, interpretation, and presentation are the author’s own.