Do sparrowhawks prey on bats?
Submitted by Guest on Tue, 23/11/2004 - 10:49
Does anyone know if sparrowhawks prey on bats?
The reason I ask is that I have a scots pine tree in my garden where I was planning to fix a bat box I have just made.
Yesterday (I feed the birds) I noticed a sparrow hawk attack a collared dove. It must have missed it although some feathers went flying. A few minutes later it was chasing a blackbird, again unsuccessfully, after which it sat up in the pine tree. I have noticed recently feathers below the tree, so wonder if it has become (her?) favourite perch.
In the light of this, should bats choose to move into the box, would they be at risk at dusk or dawn? Or would they avoid the tree because they sense danger?
ps the bats would be pipistrelles.
Sparrowhawks eat bats
I certainly don't claim to be an expert in this but the sparrowhawk and other birds of prey in the UK and the rest of the world definitely do prey on bats. Sparrowhawks are bird eating specialists and I suppose bats are somewhat bird like in nature to a hawk although they do take stuff off the ground too.
Sparrowhawks are known to return to favourite hunting spots at various times of day to see what is available. I read on the internet too that they (sparrow hawks) will fly in almost total darkness to various roosting spots which might suggest that they would be active feeding at dawn and dusk.
I don't know if that means you shouldn't put your bat box up or whether you should go ahead in any case. I also don't know if it means the bats will be too scared to move in with such an antisocial neighbour !!
Had you thought of installing a batcam in your bat box ??? :lol:
Matt
Do sparrowhawks prey on bats?
Regarding a bat cam...I don't think it would be allowed unless I had a bat licence. This is because all bats and bat roosts are protected, and it is an offence to interfere with roosting bats. Also, it sounds as iof you have to be very lucky to get bats to move into a box, so it would be a very expensive experiment.
.....I'm now off to make a bat "sandwich box" to put up as well.
Do sparrowhawks prey on bats?
:? what's a bat sandwich box ????
Matt
Do sparrowhawks prey on bats?
I got the design from a Wildlife Trust poster.
It's 2 planks of wood, with sides and top spaced apart with 20mmx 20mm batten. This means it's suitable for roosting, but not enough room for a nursery site. I think it's meant to mimic gaps under tiles, or splits in trees or under bark. Anyway, it's alot easier to make than the bird box shaped ones.
Do sparrowhawks prey on bats?
Feel free to post a photo!
:D
Matt
Here is the definitive proof
Just spotted this on the UK safari website
A video clip of a sparrowhawk chasing (and catching?) a pipistrelle bat.
http://www.uksafari.com/commonpip.htm