What Types of Roost Might We Find?
Bats need safe places to rest, raise young, and survive the coldest months of the year. These places are called roosts. Although many people picture bats living in caves, Scotland’s bats use a wide range of roost types, many of which are found close to where people live and work.
Understanding the different kinds of roosts helps explain why they are protected and why ecologists look for specific features during surveys.
Summer roosts
During the warmer months, bats use roosts that provide shelter, warmth, and easy access to feeding areas.
Day roosts
These are places where bats spend the day between feeding bouts. They might be in gaps under roof tiles, behind fascia boards, inside tree cavities, or within stonework. These roosts can be used by a single bat or small groups.
Maternity roosts
From June to August, female bats gather to give birth and raise their young. Maternity roosts are warm, safe spaces where pups can develop. These roosts are often found in buildings, including lofts, older houses, and churches. Because pups cannot fly for several weeks, these roosts are very sensitive to disturbance.
Night roosts
After feeding, bats may rest for short periods during the night. These roosts provide shelter while bats digest food or wait for better weather. They are often located near feeding grounds such as gardens, wooded areas, or water bodies.
Winter roosts
Winter roosts must stay cool, stable, and undisturbed so bats can conserve energy. These roosts include tree hollows, stone bridges, old tunnels, cellars, and sheltered building voids.
Bats enter long periods of torpor in winter, waking only occasionally. Because they cannot react quickly to disturbance, these roosts require extra care.
Transitional roosts
Between seasons, bats may use temporary roosts as they move between summer and winter sites. These roosts provide short-term shelter during periods of migration or unpredictable weather.
Building roosts
Many roosts in Scotland are found in buildings rather than natural structures. Modern roofing materials, soffits, old stonework, and timber frames create small gaps that bats can squeeze into. These spaces provide warmth and protection from predators.
Different species use buildings in different ways. For example:
Pipistrelles often use tiny gaps under tiles.
Brown long-eared bats prefer larger roof voids.
Daubenton’s bats may use bridges near water.
Tree roosts
Trees provide essential shelter for many bat species. Cavities, cracks, and old woodpecker holes offer safe resting places. Some species, such as noctules and Leisler’s bats, rely heavily on mature trees. Tree roosts can be more difficult to spot, which is why professional surveys are important.
Why understanding roost types matters
Knowing which roosts might be present helps ecologists plan surveys and recommend safe ways for projects to continue. Different species use roosts differently, and some roosts are more sensitive at certain times of year.
Roosts are protected because bats return to them year after year. Disturbing a roost, even when bats are absent, can affect a whole population.
Living alongside roosts
Many roosts cause no disruption to homeowners. Bats do not chew cables, damage structures, or make large amounts of noise. In most cases, people share space with bats without even knowing they are there.
Understanding roost types helps communities feel confident about living alongside bats while also protecting an important part of Scotland’s wildlife.
References
Bat Conservation Trust 2023. Bat Roosts in Buildings. Bat Conservation Trust, London.
NatureScot 2020. Bats: Licensing and Guidance. NatureScot, Inverness.
Scottish Government 2019. Wildlife Crime and Protected Species. Scottish Government, Edinburgh.