Common Pipistrelle Bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus

The Pipistrelle Bat is one of the UK's and Europe's smallest and most common bats. It is also found in North Africa and Asia. It was divided into the Common Pipistrelle and the (less-common) Soprano Pipistrelle based mainly on the different wavelengths of their echo-location sounds (45 and 55 kHz). Genetics have confirmed them as different species.

Being nocturnal makes bats difficult to photograph in action, especially since I don't use flash on animals. If they are close by in flight, they are too quick in semi-darkness. Since these fly at dusk, it is possible to get a poor silhouette at reasonable distance. They fly along the tree-line and can eat a few thousand midges, mosquitos, small moths and other flying insects per night.

This juvenile Pipistrelle was brought to a vet after being found on the ground. It is being held, and photographed, by a vetinary nurse after being checked over and before being released unharmed. "Pipistrelle" is derived from the Italian for a bat.