Forum Topic

Bats in Brentford

Yesterday evening we were sitting in the garden and we were enthralled to watch at least three bats flitting overhead. This was in Avenue Road, only a couple of hundred yards north of the M4/A4. Yes, OK, we had had a couple of beers but these were definitely bats. I have no idea of the species - perhaps common pipistrelles?We used to see them regularly but this is the first time for several years. (Hedgehogs were also regular visitors but we haven't seen one of those for well over 20 years.) It seems that bats have suffered greatly in recent years from loss of habitat, light pollution etc.Has anyone recently seen bats (or hedgehogs) in Brentford?

Jim Storrar ● 2659d7 Comments

I saw some a few weeks ago flying around the end of Windmill Road near the library.

Reg Ghosh ● 2659d

We've seen them in the Boston Manor area but not yet this year.  Here's hoping.

Pat Kingham ● 2659d

We see bats regularly and every year from our kitchen window at Brentford Lock West

David Fernande ● 2659d

We used to see bats on Brentford Dock quite regularly at this time of year but not lately. Regarding uplighters and light pollution, where we stay in Spain, the bats seem to make use of the very bright street lights as they attract many moths and beetles.

Steve Bullman ● 2659d

Lots of bats in Isleworth have spooted at least three species - trying to stop the developers of the Nazareth House swish development from having uplighters in trees not a stone's throw from the Isleworth Ait, where there is definitely a colony of bats.

Vanessa Smith ● 2659d

Many thanks Keith. I Googled the Wharncliffe Viaduct. It is quite likely that this viaduct is the largest bat cave complex in the whole of London, and possibly the south of England, as no other roost approaching this size has so far been reported.It is thought that the bats at the Viaduct are pipistrelles. This is London’s commonest bat species and thay are so small that they can fit into a matchbox.

Jim Storrar ● 2659d

They are quite often seen on the dock at night and are no doubt in other places with a similar environment.I think there is a colony of bats in the towers of the Wharncliffe Viaduct in Hanwell.

Keith Iddon ● 2659d