Daubenton's bats take insects from close to the water surface. They have been seen taking prey directly from the water surface, using their large feet as a gaff or the tail membrane as a scoop. The pipistrelle is Britain's smallest bat. It varies in colour, but is usually medium to dark brown on the back and only slightly paler underneath. It is the most common species in towns.
Pipistrelles fly at or slightly above head height with irregular twists and dives.
Their flight appears fast and jerky as they dodge about pursuing small insects, which are caught and eaten in flight. A single pipistrelle may consume up to 3000 insects in a night. The noctule bat is one of the largest British species and is usually the first bat to appear in the evening, sometimes even before sunset. Adults generally have short, sleek, golden evenly-coloured fur. Juveniles, newly moulted adults and some females are a dull chocolate brown colour.