Plecotus auritus

ialtóg fhad-chluasach

The huge ears of this bat are its most distinctive feature – they are almost as long as the body. Although they are probably quite common in Ireland, it is difficult to see long-eared bats in flight because they prefer to forage in woodland flying amongst the foliage, picking moths and other insects off leaves. These bats emit their quiet echolocation sounds through their nose. Larger prey items such as noctuid moths are taken to a feeding perch, often in a porch or outhouse. These perches are recognisable by the piles of insect remains, such as moth wings, which collect under them. The long-eared bat roosts in buildings such as houses with large attic spaces, churches, outbuildings and in tree holes.

A scheme for monitoring the brown long-eared bat at its roosts was developed in 2007 (the Brown Long-eared Bat Roost Monitoring Scheme). Thus far its population has been stable.