HUNTING ACTIVITY OF BATS AT STREAMS AND P ONDS

Hunting activity of bats was studied at different types of streams and ponds in an area of 20 km(2) in size in south-eastern Bavaria from Ma y to October 1993. We measured flight activity with help of bat detect ors and used mist nets to catch bats. Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus p ipistrellus, Myotis myotis, Myotis emarginatus Myotis mystacinus, Myot is daubentoni, and Myotis nattereri were found during the period of th e study. Additionally Myotis brandti, Myotis bechsteini, Eptesicus ser otinus, Plecotus auritus, Barbastella barbastellus, and Rhinolophus hi pposideros are known to be present in the area. The bat activity was h igher at streams and ponds situated in forests or lined by trees and b ushes than at waters without surrounding high vegetation. Moreover, fe w bats were heard at small streams were branches left little space ('' flight pass'') over the water. Generally, bat activity was higher at p onds than at streams. Wind shelter and insect density seemed to be of main importance for the quality of a foraging habiat.