Irish name: Ialtóg Leisler
Scientific name: Nyctalus leisleri
Leisler's bat is common and widespread throughout Ireland, and is of international importance as the Irish population is the biggest in Europe. Leisler's bat usually roosts in holes and trees and in buildings - in cracks in walls, behind fascia boards, in attics and under roof tiles. Irish bats spend long periods over winter in hibernation Leisler's bats will sometimes migrate up to 50 kilometres to their hibernation roosts.
Early in the evening, Leisler's bats leave their roosts. They often travel over 10 kilometres to hunt along water courses and open fields. They feed on insects, such as midges, moths, caddis flies, crane flies and dung flies.
Between late summer and early autumn, the male Leisler's bat establishes a 'mating roost' on a tree and flies around the area calling for females. A single male can mate with a number of females. The females give birth the following June, to a single baby, in a maternity colony. There can be up to 100 bats in the maternity colony.
Leisler's Bat Nyctalus leisleri (Photo: Eddie Dunne)
Roche, N., Catto, C., Langton, S., Aughney, T. & Russ, J. (2005) Development of a car-based bat monitoring protocol for the Republic of Ireland. [631KB] McAney, K., (2006) A conservation plan for Irish vesper bats. [606KB]
National Parks & Wildlife Service, 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2. Phone: +353 1 8882000 Fax: +353 1 8883272