Bats Surf Storm Fronts During Continental Migration

Bats, long admired for their unique nocturnal habits, are now making waves as scientific research uncovers the fascinating details of their long-distance migrations. Recent findings reveal that common noctule bats, widespread across Europe, rely on storm fronts to aid their 1,600-kilometre continental journeys. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (MPI-AB) have studied these extraordinary mammals, using ultra-light sensors to track their movements. These findings bring a fresh perspective to the migration strategies of bats, a behaviour rarely observed and previously shrouded in mystery.

The study, published in Science, highlights that noctule bats ‘surf’ the warm fronts of storms, expending less energy as they travel. Edward Hurme, a postdoctoral researcher at MPI-AB, stated,

“We don’t just see the path that bats took, we also see what they experienced in the environment as they migrated.”

This insight has provided critical clues about how bats navigate their costly and hazardous journeys.

These high-tech sensors, weighing only five percent of a bat’s body mass, allowed researchers to gather detailed data, transmitting 1,440 daily measurements through a European-wide network. Unlike birds, which prepare for migration by gaining weight, bats employ a ‘hopping’ migration style, pausing frequently to refuel. With migration routes far less structured than expected, noctules traverse the European landscape in varying patterns, often covering up to 400 kilometres in a single night.

One of the most intriguing discoveries is the timing of bat departures, which aligns with specific weather changes. The study observed significant migration activity during periods of falling air pressure and rising temperatures, enabling bats to harness warm tailwinds. “It was known that birds use wind support during migration, and now we see that bats do too,” Hurme explained.

This research holds critical implications for conservation efforts. Wind turbines pose a significant threat to migratory bats, leading to frequent collisions. Understanding when and where bats migrate could inform preventative measures, such as temporarily halting turbines during peak migration periods. Hurme noted,

“More studies like this will pave the way for a system to forecast bat migration, helping us protect these vital creatures.”

For readers interested in the original research, this article is based on findings published by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, as featured on ScienceDaily. Full details can be found in their report, “Bats surf storm fronts during continental migration,” available here.

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