Lesser Noctule (Nyctalus leisleri) lives in european forests across Western Europe. It feeds on insects and moths. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
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A real field recording of the Lesser Noctule, made in the wild.
A lesser noctule fits on a ruler: its body measures just 48-68 mm long, yet its wings stretch 260-330 mm across, about the length of a school ruler laid end-to-end. Its forearm is only 38-47 mm, and it weighs a feather-light 11-20 g. This tiny aeroplane can zip through the night and travel long distances while hunting insects over wide areas.
Across Europe and western Asia the lesser noctule is a shy guest, but on the island of Ireland it becomes the star player, the largest bat and the third most common species there. While most of its range lists it as "relatively rare", Irish forests and towns host thriving colonies, making the island the species' global stronghold.
Lesser noctules usually gather in modest maternity groups of 20-50 bats, yet Irish colonies can swell to around 1,000 individuals sharing a single hollow tree or building. Females typically raise one or two pups, with twins occurring more often in the eastern part of their range.
When dusk falls, a lesser noctule can cover up to 10 km from its roost while hunting. It flies straight and fast with shallow dives, often skimming treetops or buzzing around streetlights to snatch moths and beetles.
The lesser noctule is a true traveler: individuals have been recorded flying 810 km during migration. Despite this stamina, the longest-known wild lifespan is just nine years.
Sources
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In the warm, golden light of dusk, the Lesser Noctule bat stirs, unfolding its delicate wings like a dark, leathery cloak, as it prepares to take to the evening skies. With a fluttering, erratic flight, it dances through the air, its high-pitched calls echoing through the landscape as it pursues the insects that will sustain it through the night. As it flits and weaves, its agility and speed are a testament to the remarkable adaptability of these tiny, nocturnal creatures.
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