Yesterday my hometown's NABU-Fachgruppe Säugetierschutz (group for mammal protection) checked some bat quaters at the Brauhausberg (lit. brewhouse mountain). The area is usually closed for the public, thus making the event a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of the local bats and to get an impression of their habitat.
I am by no means an expert on bats and therefore I tried to soak up as much information as possible. For example, here in this area we have four different species of bats: the Wasserfledermaus (Daubenton's bat, Myotis daubentonii), the Fransenfledermaus (Natterer's bat, Myotis nattereri), the Großes Mausohr (greater mouse-eared bat, Myotis myotis), and my current favourite, the Braunes Langohr (brown long-eared bat, Plecotus auritus). At the Brauhausberg we found specimens of all four, except for the greater mouse-eared bat.
Dauberton's bat or Natterer's bat:
Note that, if possible, bats should never be handled with bare hands as they may carry the rabies virus. Thus, wearing a pair of strong (!) gloves is always advisable.
Brown long-eared bat (in the front):
Finding the bats was not always easy, especially at the beginning I did not really know how one actually looks for a bat, but in the end even a bat novice like myself was able to find some. Also, next time I really need a stronger flashlight, preferably a forehead lamp to have my hands free.
