AN eleven-year-old boy had the surprise of his life when he woke up to discover a baby bat in his bedroom bin.

Jasni Kern was woken by a rustling noise and jumped out of bed to investigate.

“I heard rustling coming from the bin while I was in bed,” he said. “When I saw the bat’s leg hanging over the side of the bin, I was terrified. I thought it was a hairy beetle. But I felt a lot better when dad told me it was a bat and probably a baby one.”

Jasni’s dad Scottie of Oakhurst went onto social media to ask for advice on what to do with the tiny creature they had decided to call Beanie.

“I eventually found Caitlin McCann who coordinates Wiltshire Bat Care, a regional bat care network registered with the Bat Conservation Trust. I drove Beanie over to Caitlin where she would provide further care,” he said.

Caitlin, from Royal Wootton Bassett said: “Beanie is a common pipistrelle. She came into care weighing only 2.4gms, which was very light for her age. She also had a swollen elbow and needed some TLC

“With feeding every three to four hours, Beanie now weighs 3.8gms and has started trying her wings. She will be flight trained in a flight cage with other orphaned bats and only released when I can see she can fly appropriately and feed herself.”

Scottie said the window was open but he had no idea how Beanie got in his son’s room as she isn’t old enough to fly.

The UK has 18 species of bats which are vital to the country’s ecosystem. Bats are indicators of biodiversity, pollinators, pest controllers and seed dispensers. 

They eat thousands of insects every single night. Bat habitats are often protected by laws preventing any disturbance. 

Bat pups can begin to learn to use their wings around a month old. This is why, if they get themselves in a spot of bother such as Beanie did, it’s important to either reunite her with the roost if you know where it is or provide care. Bats aren’t weaned until after they learn to fly, around 6-8 weeks.

If you find a bat in need of care, the advice is to contain it in a small secure box with air holes. Leave a small lightweight cloth and a milk bottle top of water and place the box in a quiet place. Try not to handle the bat, and if you need to, wear gloves. And don’t feed it.  

Caitlin said: “If you find a grounded or injured bat it’s important to call the Bat Conservation Trust on 0345 1300 228 in the first instance.

"BCT are there to give the best advice and have a network of registered and vaccinated voluntary bat carers and ambulance drivers who will ensure the bat is cared for appropriately.

“Wiltshire Bat Care is always looking for people to help and training can be provided. Just contact wiltshirebatcare@gmail.com”

For more information and advice on what to do with wild bats, please go to the Bat Conservation Trust website