Identifying Bats of Britain and Ireland

A Field Worker’s Guide

James Shipman

Packed with insider tips on bat ID.
Instructions for how to handle bats and work towards securing a bat license.
Detailed images and diagrams allow easy comparison between species.

Subject: zoology mammals chiroptera-bats Series: pelagic-identification-guides

Tags:

bat detecting
bat ecology
bat licence
bats
chiroptera
Coming Soon
handling
identification
survey

Description

This book will help anyone understand the fun and adventures to be had working with these fascinating animals. Packed with insider information, it offers expert guidance on how to identify bats in the hand. As you learn the process of handling them safely, you will also discover the key features that distinguish one species from another.

Filling a gap between basic books and more technical volumes, this guide uses humour, mnemonics, rhymes and images as it communicates in simple terms the techniques required when training for a bat licence. Detailed images, diagrams and tables help in comparison between species, and the fundamentals of bat ecology and survey equipment are discussed. All British bat species are covered, as well as possible vagrants.

Warning: James’s infectious enthusiasm for bats is likely to rub off – reading about these fascinating mammals may well become a lifelong obsession.

The author is donating 10% of the royalties from this book to the Bat Conservation Trust.

DOI:10.53061/BBON2009

Reviews

At long last, a book that anyone who works with bats needs to identify British bats (and the vagrants and migrants that visit these shores in ever increasing numbers). A long overdue tome that is well written by someone who knows his subject. The book is full of all the ‘hints’ and ‘tips’ you’ll need to look for on those difficult to identify, or cryptic species. Thanks to James, it will sit well in my bat-book library.
—Colin Morris
For me this is one of the most anticipated bat books for a several years and I’m delighted that James has taken the time to put it together. I was pleased to see that the book reflects the authors approach to batwork - managing to combine accurate and well-observed descriptions in a light hearted and often humorous way. This is another excellent book from Pelagic that will happily join the others on the bookshelves of anyone working with British bats in any capacity.
—Richard Crompton, Ecology on Demand
An essential companion for anyone new to bats or already working with them in the UK and Ireland. Brimful of practical ID tips along with detailed photographs. This is a book that captures James's generosity, fun loving personality and joy at sharing his knowledge with others.
—Graham Hart, Suffolk Wildlife Trust

About the Author

James Shipman is a lifelong bat enthusiast who loves to inspire and motivate future bat workers. He works as a senior ecologist and is involved in numerous bat-related projects. In 2016 he was recognised with the Bat Conservation Trust’s Pete Guest Award for outstanding contribution to bat conservation.