New data on the distribution of the barbastelle bat Barbastella barbastellus in Latvia

Abstract

The barbastelle bat Barbastella barbastellus is considered as a rare species with an unclear status of distribution. Only a few occasional winter records, single records, and a few observations during the autumn migration at the SW coast of Latvia have been reported in the literature. A survey on the distribution of the barbastelle bat was conducted in Latvia in 2006 and 2007. Ultrasound detectors with the time expansion sound transformation method, capture with mist nets, and inspection of cellars were used to find barbastelles. In total 20 new sites occupied by barbastelles were found in the central and northern parts of Latvia.