Help with a bat anybody?

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by silu, Sep 22, 2018.

  1. silu

    silu gardening easy...hmmm

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    We have Pipistrelle Bats here and today for the first time since moving here 17 years ago I found 1 lying on the ground this morning. I so very nearly trod on it:yikes:. It was not happy to see me and obviously because it was frightened i got a birdseye view of it's teeth! I got a spatula and was able to pick it up without touching it and it is now in the airing cupboard in a cardboard box with holes in it plus a scrunched up bit of kitchen roll, little thing of water and a tiny drop of cat food in the vain hope it eats something. I checked it about 1/2 an hour ago and it is hanging upside down holding onto the kitchen paper. It doesn't look injured and all it's arms and legs are working and it is squeaking when I open the lid to the box.
    I tried the bat rescue lot but they don't have anybody who lives close. Reluctant to take it to a vet as they have a reputation of not being very helpful with wildlife (no money in it!). I am thinking I might try and see if it will fly off after dark. Good idea? I am wondering if the gales we had has something to do with this and it has maybe be blown off course.
    Any advice much appreciated. I am quite knowledgeable about a fair number of animals but bats isn't 1 of them:).
     
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    • Jiffy

      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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      We had a bat in the house (not sure how long it was in here) we rang bat rescue, which said to give it some water then release it at dusk which we did, we use a pepet with some water in it and make a little bubble on the end and put it by the side of it's mouth so it lapped some water (not top of mouth before it may snort some water through it's nose) release at dusk, we still have bats flying around :)
      Edit @silu
      Also i've just remembered we catched a few fly's to feed the bat with twezzers
      DSCF8289.JPG
       
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        Last edited: Sep 22, 2018
      • silu

        silu gardening easy...hmmm

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        Thanks @Jiffy I'll see if I can lay my hands on a pepette. It's a nice day here altho windy but dry and sunny so hope it stays fair. I'll try releasing it at dusk which is when most of ours start to fly about:fingers crossed:. Not sure what to do if it doesn't manage to fly away:noidea:
         
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        • Jiffy

          Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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          i've edited my post Silu
          we catched some fly's to feed the bat with tweezers
           
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          • Redwing

            Redwing Wild Gardener

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            Perhaps you could leave the open box outside this evening and hope it’s gone in the morning. Bats roost high up so placing the box on a ledge as high as you can seems sensible.
             
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            • Jiffy

              Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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              Becarefull if you have cats
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                I don't know a lot about them either but you could try seeing whether it would hang onto a piece of cane. If so, then try and put the cane sticking out of an upstairs window (avoid cats or foxes that way). It would also have the choice of sitting on the windowsill if it wanted. You could put a saucer of water on the windowsill as well. I would try and use a south facing window as the brickwork will be warmer.
                 
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                • silu

                  silu gardening easy...hmmm

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                  Many thanks all for your helpful suggestions.
                  To cut a long story short the wee soul is now with the wildlife division of the SSPCA (Scottish equivalent to RSPCA).
                  After a few phone calls it became clear I had found a young 1 and was told definitely not to try and release it as too small to be able to fly properly or fend for itself. I did get a wee spot of water into it with a pepette but I also got it a little damp in the process, it was NOT pleased about this!
                  The SSPCA were extremely accommodating and said they would come and pick up the baby bat asap. I offered to meet them half way to speed the process up and they were very grateful so we met up and I gave the bat into their care. The officer thought the bat looked in pretty good condition and they already have 6 at the centre. It evidently is better for them to have company so hope I have done the right thing.
                  Tonight I can see a fair few flying about, hope they aren't looking for the wee chap:sad:. I was looking forward to a peaceful day...fat chance!
                   
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                  • Fat Controller

                    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                    • ARMANDII

                      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                      Never, ever, crossed my mind:dunno::whistle::nonofinger::heehee:
                       
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                      • noisette47

                        noisette47 Total Gardener

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                        Bless you, silu! They are such beautiful creatures. And a big 'bravo' to the SSPCA for caring!
                         
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                        • WeeTam

                          WeeTam Total Gardener

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                          I remember my mum freaking out when being confronted with a bat flying at her in the hall. Lets just say it didnt end well for the bat.:hate-shocked:

                          Theyve been roosting in her bungalow attic for the last 30 years so shes not all bad :)
                           
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                          • ARMANDII

                            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                            [​IMG]
                             
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                            • Loki

                              Loki Total Gardener

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                              I love watching them I my garden, not sure about sharing house space though :rolleyespink:
                               
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                              • silu

                                silu gardening easy...hmmm

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                                Well, you are a right couple of you know whats @ARMANDII and @Fat Controller trust you 2 to make mock:snorky:. All taken in good heart tho. Thank you @noisette47 , yes I was quite taken aback when the SSPCA were very enthusiastic with their offers of help. All for something you could almost stick in your eye:). Your Iris are going great guns by the way:yes:
                                 
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