SOUNDS: Leisler's bats produces two calls, both extremely loud, that are often produced in sequence. With a bat detector (heterodyne) they produce a 'chip chop' sound. At around 25kHz the sound is extremely loud and 'bubbly', developing into a click at higher frequencies. However, this is not always easy to hear due to the loud volume of the call. Pulse repetition rate is irregular and slow - much slower than many other Irish species. Leisler's bats are extremely vocal, especially during the mating season. The mating call is easy to identify, even without a detector. For example, a series of sharp 'clicks' (without the detector) repeated every 0.5 to 1 second can be heard when a bat is stationary in a tree.

Click to hear echolocation calls of the Leisler's bat slowed down 10 times

© Jon Russ 2001. Text refereed by Angela Ross & Lynne Rendle.

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