Bat Species
at Dunsany
Bats are an important part of life at Dunsany Estate. We’re lucky to have 8 of Ireland’s 9 bat species recorded here, making use of the old trees, buildings, and quiet woodland edges. Their presence is a strong indicator of a thriving, well-balanced ecosystem.
The Importance of Bats in Rewilding
Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight, using echolocation to navigate and hunt insects at night. All Irish bat species are insectivorous and protected under both Irish and EU law. At Dunsany Estate, they thrive in rewilded woodlands, stone buildings, and wetland edges roosting in quiet places and playing a vital role in natural pest control.
Their lifecycle follows a seasonal rhythm: in spring and summer, females gather in maternity roosts to raise their pups, which become independent after 6–7 weeks. Autumn is mating season, and in winter, bats hibernate in sheltered, cool spaces like caves and crevices. With a typical lifespan of 8 years, their presence reflects the estate’s growing ecological health and habitat diversity.
Learn about the Bats in Dunsany Estate
8 of Ireland’s 9 Native Bat Species call Dunsany Estate Home
Bats in Dunsany Estate
Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus)
Easily recognised by its large, distinctive ears
Roosts in barns, churches, and spacious attic areas
Forages silently in open woodlands and along forest edges
Feeds mainly on moths and other night-flying insects
Bats in Dunsany Estate
Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)
Small bat with reddish-brown fur and a ridge between the nostrils
Roosts in roof spaces, old stone buildings, and crevices in trees
Forms lively, vocal colonies active at dusk
Often forages over wetlands, woodland edges, and sheltered clearings
Bats in Dunsany Estate
Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)
Ireland’s most widespread bat, known for its adaptability
Roosts in old buildings, stone walls, tree crevices, and even behind shutters
Can squeeze into tight spaces; hibernates in cool, sheltered spots like stonework
Often seen foraging along hedgerows, gardens, and woodland edges at dusk
Bats in Dunsany Estate
Nathusius’ Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii)
First recorded in Ireland in 1996; a more recently confirmed species
Slightly larger than other pipistrelles and less agile in flight
Prefers lakesides, rivers, and tree-lined habitats for foraging
May be spotted around wetland edges and sheltered woodlands at Dunsany
Bats in Dunsany Estate
Daubenton’s Bat (Myotis daubentonii)
Part of the Myotis genus, known for mouse-eared bats
Often called the “water bat” flies just above the surface of rivers and lakes
Large feet and tail membrane help it scoop insects off the water while in flight
Frequently seen skimming along calm stretches of water at dusk
Roosts in bridges, stone walls, and tree hollows near water
Bats in Dunsany Estate
Natterer’s Bat (Myotis nattereri)
Part of the Myotis genus, known for mouse-eared bats
Identified by its unique ‘S’-shaped calcar (a spur of cartilage near the tail)
Hunts higher above water than Daubenton’s Bat, often near woodland edges
Hibernates in caves, cellars, and stone structures over winter
Bats in Dunsany Estate
Whiskered Bat (Myotis mystacinus)
Part of the Myotis genus; very difficult to distinguish from other close relatives
Prefers dense woodland and hedgerows for hunting
Often roosts in tree crevices or old buildings
Hibernates underground, using caves, cellars, or stone walls in winter
Bats in Dunsany Estate
Leisler’s Bat (Nyctalus leisleri)
Ireland’s largest bat, with a fast and powerful flight
Known for its distinctive “lion’s mane” of golden-brown fur along the shoulders
Roosts in tree holes, buildings, and bat boxes
Often seen foraging high above treetops or near streetlights
The only bat in Ireland listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List
