The definitive guide to the bats of Britain and Europe. This concise and definitive guide presents all 45 bat species that regularly occur in Europe (of which 17 are known to breed in the British Isles). The extensive introduction details the remarkable biology of bats and explores the latest findings in bat evolution, behaviour and echolocation. This is followed by in-depth species accounts covering life history, conservation status and identification of families and genera, including echolocation characteristics, and complemented by accurate distribution maps, with the book illustrated throughout with almost 700 superb colour photographs. Suitable for beginners, students, professionals or conservationists alike, Bats of Britain and Europe is the authoritative field guide for bat watchers - an essential reference for every bat enthusiast.

Christian Dietz is a teacher, author and committed bat expert. He is particularly interested in the ecology and systematics of bats in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, and makes regular trips throughout the Mediterranean and eastern Europe in search of them. His findings have made valuable contributions to bat conservation and our understanding of their diversity.

Bats - the mystery begins
Bat roosts
Tracking bats
Detecting bats
Identification of bats

The bat species
Introduction to the series accounts
Fruit bats Pteropodidae
Horseshoe bats Rhinolophidae
Vesper or plain-nosed bats Vespertilionidae
Bent-winged bats Miniopteridae
Free-tailed bats Molossidae

Glossary
Bibliography
The genera of European bats