BAT CALLS OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE Format: Paperback

A comprehensive guide to the calls of the 44 species of bat currently known to occur in Europe. Following on from the popular British Bat Calls by Jon Russ, this new book draws on the expertise of more than forty specialist authors to substantially update all sections, further expanding the volume to include sound analysis and species identification of all European bats.

Aimed at volunteers and professional alike, topics include the basics of sound, echolocation in bats, an introduction to acoustic communication, equipment used and call analysis. For each species, detailed information is given on distribution, emergence, flight and foraging behaviour, habitat, echolocation calls – including parameters of common measurements – and social calls.

Calls are described for both heterodyne and time expansion/full spectrum systems. A simple but complete echolocation guide to all species is provided for beginners, allowing them to analyse call sequences and arrive at the most likely species or group. The book also includes access to a downloadable library of over 450 calls presented as sonograms in the species sections.

Jon Russ first became interested in bats while completing undergraduate research into pipistrelle social calls as part of a degree in Zoology at the University of Aberdeen. This led to a PhD at Queen's University Belfast investigating Northern Ireland's bats. Jon has been involved in a wide variety of bat-related projects in both temperate and tropical areas. Jon is Director of Ridgeway Ecology Ltd, a specialist bat consultancy. After more than 25 years of involvement in bat research and conservation, he continues to be fascinated by these remarkable mammals.