Microbat

Something completely different this week, but it still flies.

It is very unusual to see a microbat out during day light. And it’s not a good sign.

Little Miss Six was incredibly observant to spot this tiny microbat clinging to the wall just below the roofline of our home. Microbats roost in the curves of the tin roof and swoop out after dusk on warm nights. The only time I’ve seen them during daylight is when they are unwell. So, we contacted Fly By Night bat rescue, and Wildlife Victoria and two lovely Wildlife Vic rescuers turned up to check if it needed care.

WARNING – DO NOT handle bats unless you have been vaccinated against bat lyssavirus. This disease is related to rabies and can cause serious illness or be fatal.

The rescuers tenderly examined the tiny bat, which weighed about 6 grams. In consultation with Fly By Night they decided it was a juvenile due to the development of its wing bones. They gave it a feed of glucose water and carefully returned it to the spot where it had been roosting. As there is a known colony here it was not appropriate, or necessary, for this little one to be removed.

We were all pleased and concerned when it took off and flew to a nearby swamp gum; pleased that it could fly but concerned that it might be seen by potential predators.

I had been taking some close up photographs as it was being checked, not very good ones, but grabbed my long lens when it flew into the tree. This photograph isn’t brilliant but it shows something that is rarely seen – a microbat out in daylight. I didn’t want to spend more than a few moments photographing it in case I alerted the ravens, currawongs, kookaburras or magpies to its presence.

I hope that it stayed nice and still in the quiet place it found for itself among the leaves. We haven’t seen it since so are very hopeful that this insectivorous youngster has been foraging successfully at night and roosting safely during the day.

Happy birding and batting, Kim

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