First record of a Nathusius' pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) overwintering at a latitude above 60°N

Abstract

<p>Highly mobile species are considered to be the first to respond to climate change by transforming their ranges of distribution. There is evidence suggesting that <em>Pipistrellus nathusii</em>, a species capable of long-distance migration, is expanding both its reproduction and overwintering ranges to the North. We recorded the echolocation calls of bats at 16 sites in South-Western Finland on two consecutive winters, and detected calls of <em>P. nathusii</em> at one of the sites throughout the second winter. To our knowledge, this is the northernmost record of an overwintering <em>P. nathusii</em>, and contributes to evidence that the species is already responding to climate change.<br></p>