First record of unusual bat species in Somerset

A Leisler's bat has been found in Somerset for the first time.

September 2010. A juvenile Leisler's bat is ready to spread its wings and be released back into the wild after being cared for at West Hatch Wildlife Centre. According to Somerset Environmental Records there has never been a confirmed sighting of this type of bat, also known as the hairy-armed bat because of the long fur on its arms and shoulders, in the county before.

Found in Taunton
The young male was found lying on the ground in an extremely weak state in a back garden in Taunton. It had no injuries but was very thin and in a temporary hibernation state called torpor which meant it could not feed or warm itself.

The RSPCA were called and it has been cared for at the centre in Taunton, Somerset ever since. For the past month it has been fed mealworms and exercised every day, and has recovered so well that it is hoped it can soon be released back to the wild.

Paul Kennedy, Wildlife Assistant at West Hatch, said: "The bat probably would have starved to death if it had not been found. It had shut down its body systems and was getting weaker and weaker, but it responded really well after we fed it with fluids and food and kept it warm."

Leisler's bats
Leisler's are normally found in areas like Ireland where there are fewer Noctule bats, which are bigger and tend to dominate; Leisler's bats are a rare sight in England. They are typically golden or reddish brown in colour, 50mm high and 70mm long with a wingspan of 260mm - 320mm.

Young bats live in colonies, so it is believed there would have been a group of other hairy-armed bats near to where this juvenile was found.

Paul said: "This really is an exciting find - especially since we are sure there would have been more Leisler's near to where this one was found. There were no previous records of this type of bat here and it is great to have an extra species to add to the Somerset list.

"It is hard to say for definite why we have come across them now. It could be that they have been in Somerset all along but have gone undetected - although this is unlikely I think. Or possibly it is something quite new. Perhaps it means the Noctule is becoming less common around here or shows a shift in climate conditions."