Noctule Bat
Nyctalus noctula
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Noctule is one of Britain's largest bats and one of the easiest to see — it often emerges to hunt before sunset, flying high in fast, swooping flight over open country and water. At Marshside RSPB it may be seen against the sky in the minutes before dark, dropping and swooping on large insects. The echolocation at 20kHz is lower than pipistrelles and detectable as a 'chip-chip' on a bat detector. It roosts in tree holes in summer.
At a Glance
| Order | Chiroptera |
| Family | Vespertilionidae |
| Habitat | Open water · Open farmland above treeline · Woodland edge |
| Diet | Large flying insects — beetles, moths, cockchafers — caught in open air |
| UK population | Around 40,000 — amber-listed |
| Sefton Coast | Present over open country and wetland; echolocates at lower frequency than pipistrelles |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Over Marshside RSPB lagoons, open farmland and above treelines. One of the largest UK bats.
Identification
Large bat. Uniform golden-brown fur. Narrow, pointed wings. Fast, high, swooping flight. Often active before dark. Echolocates at ~20kHz — 'chip-chip' sound on detector. Much larger than pipistrelles.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Watch the sky above Marshside RSPB at sunset in June. Any large, fast-moving bat flying high before dark is likely a Noctule. A bat detector at 20kHz will confirm the species.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is of moderate conservation concern. Population monitoring and habitat management on the Sefton Coast support its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Noctule Bats sometimes emerge before sunset?
Noctule Bats emerge earlier in the evening than most UK bats, often appearing against the lit sky before dark. This may be related to their hunting strategy — they hunt large, diurnal insects (like cockchafers and flying beetles) that are active at dusk but may become scarce after dark. The early emergence reduces competition from pipistrelles which dominate nighttime insect hunting.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.