I have heard some talk recently of bat detectors, detetctors that can pick up the high pitched noises of bats so you can tell which bats are living around you. I'm not fortunate enough to have good enough hearing to hear bats directly, so it sounds like a good idea as I have very little evidence of which bats are currently living around our house.
Has anyone had any experience with bat detectors? How effective are they, and does anyone have any recommendations? Is it possible to tell the difference between species of bat from the sounds the reciever picks up?

I think that chascreek has had some experience with the bat detectors.

I've been thinking I should get one--I know I must have bats around, and I would love to see them. I don't know if one can tell the difference between the species just from the sounds that are picked up...research project ahead!

Kingfisher

I have a bat detector Magenta Bat Mklll. It's tuneable to different frequencies for different species and comes with full instructions and a cd with lots of useful information. It's great fun. Go to Alana Ecology. http://www.alanaecology.com

Not a bad price...I'll have to see if similar items are available here in the US.

I knew either you or chascreek was the right man to ask .

Kingfisher

This post was last modified: 18-09-2007 10:19 AM by Kingfisher.

I'm a bit slow responding to this one I'm afraid - I have been away up in Scotland and the Lakes for the last couple of nights - with no internet access (mind I wouldn't have wanted the internet even if I had have had access anyway )

The Warwickshire Bat Group site has quite a good page on detectors to give an idea of the ranges Bat Detectors

We use a bat detector quite often so to take the questions in order:

They are very effective but models vary. It is better to go for a model that scans within a smaller band at any one frequency as it makes the echolocation easier to pin point on the maximum frequency and hence makes it easier to identify the bat species. We use a Magenta Mk11b as it scans over a 4Mhz width at any given frequency - Models like the Magenta MkIII scan over 8Mhz but it does have the benefit of a display that can easily be seen at night. Some models scan over 16Mhz and these can be quite frustrating to use as the echolocation will cover a range of frequencies but be strongest at one frequency I.E. 55Mhz. A lot of the models aren't very good at the top of the range or at the bottom most frequencies - but in our small experience I would suggest that the Magentas are a good first buy.
You can pay silly prices for time division models etc but these are overkill for most of us.

Yes you can identify different species with the bat detector - however sometimes it is quite difficult to identify because the calls are very similar. The first part of identification is homing in on the maximum signal with the detector which gives the first clue - I.E. 45 Pips against 55 Pips (Mhz), the second part is listening to the rhythm and frequency of the sounds etc which give a further indicator. You then take into account where the bats are, flight patters etc to finish off the picture and then you have a very good chance of knowing what they are.

Species like Pips and Daubentons bats are easy to differentiate with the detector. Some species like Noctule and Serotine can sound rather similar and then it can become harder. However with a little practice you can quite quickly start to differentiate the most common species. Long eared bats are very low down in the Mhz range and they can be hard to hear.

Hope that is of some use - I've not long gotten back from the Lakes so I'm doing this reply fresh from travelling - I need a cuppa now!

This post was last modified: 20-09-2007 05:14 PM by chascreek.

Sounds like you've earned one.

That was a most informative post!

I've done a bit of looking, and it seems that the Magenta is only available in the UK (at least I could not find a US supplier). I shall have to study my options!

Kingfisher

Thanks for the great replies. I'll have to have a look at the options too but I'll let you all know which one I buy. They sound like they're very useful and enjoyable, so well worth the money.