SOUNDS: All sounds produced by Nathusius' pipistrelles are above the range of human hearing with the exception of the social calls that may be heard by children and some adults with good hearing. With a bat detector (heterodyne) the calls are similar to those of the common and soprano pipistrelles but the 'slaps' occur at 39-40kHz. The repetition rate is lower and more regular than the common and soprano pipistrelles. Social calls are similar to the common pipistrelle but are followed by a 'trill'. These are best heard at 20kHz although the 'trill' is sometimes detectable at 35kHz. Nathusius' pipistrelles often emit mating calls, whilst stationary, from a tree or building but may also emit them in flight. Most mating call activity appears to occur during the second half of the night. Nathusius' pipistrelle is perhaps the most vocal of the three species of pipistrelle, often emitting calls immediately after leaving the roost and continuing throughout the night at all times of the year.

Click to hear echolocation and social calls of Nathusius' pipistrelle slowed down 10 times

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

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