The Brown Long-eared Bat is quite a common bat that can be found throughout the country in parks, mature gardens, in hedgerows and in woodlands. It has long ears that are nearly the same length as its body and this is why it has the name ‘The Brown Long-eared Bat’.  It is related to the Grey Long-eared Bat.

The Brown Long-eared Bat is also known as the ‘whispering bat’ because it is so quiet. It has long, fluffy light brown fur on top and yellow-brown fur below. It has a pinkish brown coloured face and its wings are dark brown and quite narrow. This bat is a quite a slow and fluttery flier that likes to fly quite low. It mainly feeds on moths which are sometimes caught in mid-air.

In summer Brown Long-eared Bats roost in old buildings, barns, churches, bat boxes and occasionally in tree holes. When they roost, they curl their ears back or tuck them underneath their wings, leaving only the tips of the ears visible. Brown Long-eared Bats roost alone or in small groups. They emerge from their roosts after dark and feed on and off throughout the night. In winter they usually hibernate in caves, tunnels, mines and sometimes in the roof spaces of buildings.