and it has a head-to-body length of 5 cm (1.9 in) [3] Bechstein's bat feeds chiefly on flying prey such as moths, dipterans, neuropterans and other small nocturnal insects.

[1] Analysis of droppings from the Isle of Wight and Wiltshire shows a diet consisting of dung flies, grasshoppers, nut weevils, and moths.

Populations cut off from forest land are recorded to shift to a diet of terrestrial insects and spiders caught from the ground.

Bechstein's bat is also recorded to enter artificial nest boxes, but rarely roosts in human buildings.

[4] Bechstein's bat can be found in the following countries: Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

[8] Woodlands containing Bechstein's bats may be considered for notification as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and may attract a grant under Natural England's Environmental Stewardship scheme.

On the rare chance one is spotted in the wild, authorities suggest immediately reporting it to a local batgroup or the Wildlife Trust.