(Plecotus auritus)
The Brown Long-eared Bat is one of Britain's most distinctive bats, with ears almost as long as its body. It is a quiet, agile hunter of woodland, parks and gardens, often flying slowly among leaves and branches as it searches for insects. Its extraordinary hearing helps it locate prey that other bats might miss, making this a fascinating species to discover close to home.
How to identify a Brown Long-eared Bat
Have you ever seen a bat with enormous ears? The Brown Long-eared Bat is a medium-sized species with light brown fur, a paler underside and a wingspan of around 23–29 cm. Its ears can be nearly 4 cm long, giving it a distinctive appearance when alert.
There is a curious twist, though. When resting, it often folds its ears back or tucks them beneath its wings, leaving just the pointed inner ear structures, called *tragi*, visible.
At a glance:
- Body length: 3.7–5.2 cm
- Wingspan: approximately 23–29 cm
- Weight: 6–12 g
- Colour: light brown above, paler underneath
- Flight: slow, agile and often close to vegetation
The rare Grey Long-eared Bat looks similar, but is largely restricted to southern England and parts of South Wales. Reliable identification may require close examination by an experienced bat specialist.
Where do Brown Long-eared Bats live?
Brown Long-eared Bats are widespread across much of the UK, although they are absent from some northern and offshore areas. They favour deciduous woodland, parkland and orchards, but can also visit gardens, particularly where trees, hedgerows and insect-rich habitats provide good feeding opportunities.
Summer roosts are commonly found in older buildings, barns, churches and tree cavities. They may also use bat boxes. Unlike some bats that gather in very large colonies, Brown Long-eared Bats typically form relatively small groups.
Their preference for sheltered habitats means they often follow hedgerows, tree lines and woodland edges rather than flying across wide, open spaces.
When do Brown Long-eared Bats come out?
Brown Long-eared Bats generally emerge around dusk to begin hunting. They are often most active during the warmer months, from spring into autumn, when flying insects are plentiful.
Look for a slower, fluttering flight among trees or along a hedge. Unlike a pipistrelle darting through open air, a Brown Long-eared Bat may weave between branches, hover beside foliage or swoop close to the ground.
They can be surprisingly difficult to spot. Their flight is quiet, and their echolocation calls are unusually faint. This is why they are sometimes called whispering bats.
What do Brown Long-eared Bats eat?
Moths are an important part of their diet, alongside beetles, flies, earwigs and spiders.
What makes this bat particularly interesting is how it finds its food. Many bats catch insects in flight using echolocation to track their movements. Brown Long-eared Bats can do this too, but are especially skilled at gleaning, which means picking insects directly from leaves and other surfaces.
Their broad wings allow them to manoeuvre slowly through cluttered vegetation. Their sensitive hearing can help them detect the faint sounds made by insects, sometimes locating prey that is resting rather than flying.
Larger insects may be carried to a favoured feeding perch, where the bat eats them. Beneath these perches, discarded moth wings and other insect remains can sometimes accumulate.
This hunting technique is one of the species' most remarkable adaptations. Its huge ears aren't simply an unusual feature: they are part of a finely tuned system for finding food in places where other bats might struggle.
How do Brown Long-eared Bats breed?
Brown Long-eared Bats mate during autumn and winter. Females gather in maternity roosts in late spring, sometimes sharing these with males, which is unusual among British bat species.
Females generally give birth to a single pup between late June and mid-July. The young are fed on their mother's milk and become independent at around six weeks old.
Maternity groups usually contain around 10–20 bats, although larger colonies can occur. Suitable, undisturbed roosts are particularly important during this period, when mothers are raising their young.
Where do Brown Long-eared Bats go in winter?
As temperatures fall and insects become scarce, Brown Long-eared Bats reduce their activity and hibernate.
Winter roosts include caves, tunnels, mines, icehouses and occasionally trees or buildings. They can tolerate very cold roosting conditions, often choosing places where temperatures remain just above freezing.
You may stop seeing bats in your garden during winter, but that doesn't necessarily mean they have left the area. They may simply be resting in a sheltered roost until conditions improve.
UK population and conservation status
The Brown Long-eared Bat is classified as Least Concern in Great Britain, although this does not mean it is free from pressures.
The UK population is estimated to be around 934,000. Estimates should be treated as approximate, because bats are difficult to count and monitoring cannot cover every roost.
Loss of mature woodland, suitable tree cavities and traditional building roosts can reduce the places available for bats to shelter and breed. Pesticides can also affect them by reducing insect prey, while inappropriate chemicals used on roof timbers may pose additional risks.
All UK bat species and their roosts are legally protected. Any building or tree work that could affect a roost needs careful consideration before it begins.
How can I help Brown Long-eared Bats?
The most useful thing you can do is make your garden part of a connected, insect-rich landscape.
- Keep trees and hedges: they provide sheltered routes between roosts and feeding areas.
- Support moths and other insects: grow a variety of wildlife-friendly plants, including night-scented flowers, and avoid unnecessary pesticide use.
- Reduce artificial lighting: keep hedges, trees and potential flight routes dark wherever possible.
- Retain mature trees where safe: cavities, splits and loose bark can provide natural roosting opportunities.
Which bat box is best for Brown Long-eared Bats?
Brown Long-eared Bats are known to use artificial roosts, so a suitable bat box can be a useful addition where the surrounding habitat is appropriate.
The Schwegler 2F Bat Box is one option worth considering. It has been recorded in use by several UK bat species, including bats that use tree and building roosts. A suitable crevice-style box is also a good option, for both tree and wall mounting.
Place boxes high above the ground, in a sheltered position close to trees or hedgerows, and away from artificial lighting. Where possible, offer more than one box in different orientations to provide a choice of roosting conditions.
For more advice, read our guide to Where to Put a Bat Box.
Frequently asked questions about Brown Long-eared Bats
Why do Brown Long-eared Bats have such big ears?
Their large ears provide exceptionally sensitive hearing, helping them detect insects and locate prey among leaves and branches. They can also fold their ears back or tuck them under their wings when resting.
Are Brown Long-eared Bats common in gardens?
They can visit gardens, particularly those close to woodland, mature trees and hedgerows. However, their quiet flight and faint calls mean you may not notice them even when they are nearby.
Do Brown Long-eared Bats live in houses?
Yes. They can roost in older buildings, barns, churches and roof spaces, as well as in tree cavities and bat boxes. If you suspect a roost in your home, seek specialist advice before undertaking work that might affect it.
Can I identify a Brown Long-eared Bat using a bat detector?
It can be difficult. Their echolocation calls are very quiet, earning them the nickname 'whispering bats'. A detector may help, but the bat can be close by and still go undetected.
