The Brown Long-eared Bat more than lives up to its name, with ears that are nearly as long as its body

You may spot it feeding along hedgerows, and in gardens and woodland.

A medium-sized bat with very long ears, it is nocturnal (as all UK bats are), feeding on midges, moths and other flying insects that they come across in the dark through echolocation. Along with hunting airborne insects, Brown Long-eared Bats will also fly slowly through foliage, picking insects directly from leaves, eating large prey on perches rather than in flight. They will roost in holes in trees and old buildings, feeding along hedgerows, and in parks, gardens and woodland.

During the summer months, the females will form maternity colonies and have just a single pup. They will then hibernate over winter between November and April.

The Brown Long-eared Bat has greyish-brown fur and characteristically big ears which are nearly as long as its body. It has a relatively slow and fluttery flight. The bat is widespread but will be absent from Scottish Islands.

Did you know it's also known as the 'Whispering Bat'? This is because its voice is very quiet - when it's at rest, it will tend to curl its ears back or tuck them under its wings.

Information courtesy of The Wildlife Trusts / image courtesy of (c) Tom Marshall-11