A Conversation for British Mammals: Bats
Epic Journey by Greater Horseshoe Bat
BigAl Patron Saint of Left Handers Keeper of the Glowing Pickle and Monobrows Started conversation Dec 29, 2006
Subscribers to this thread may be interested in this story which appeared in the Dorset Echo this week.
"A baby [Greater Horseshoe] bat has been found at Boar Mill in Purbeck. Dorset, by research student, Jon Flanders, who is conducting a project on bats at Corfe Castle.
It had been ringed at birth at Woodchester Mansion, Glos and flew to its new colony in Purbeck when it was only 3 months old.
Experts are amazed because the species is known to be particularly lazy and rarely fly far from its roost.
One of the biggest challenges in making such a journey is in knowing where to go, as these bats have very short range echo-location calls. This makes making journeys of over 20 meters or so extremely difficult. Experts are also amazeds that the bat wasn't predated en route.
One or two longer journeys have been recorded by males of this species, but the trips have taken up to two years.
Epic Journey by Greater Horseshoe Bat
Skankyrich [?] Posted Dec 30, 2006
That is quite an incredible journey, Al. Wonder if they'll make a film of it one day? 
Key: Complain about this post
Epic Journey by Greater Horseshoe Bat
More Conversations for British Mammals: Bats
Write an Entry
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. It has been compiled and recompiled many times and under many different editorships. It contains contributions from countless numbers of travellers and researchers."