Google Earth and Google Street View reveal differences in Pipistrellus pipstrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus roadside habitat use in Ireland

To determine habitat associations of two common bat species, Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus, we used records collected during the All-Ireland Car-based Bat Monitoring Scheme along with Google Earth TM, Google Street View TM, aerial photography and Corine datasets. Geo-referenced bat locations were randomly selected from the monitoring datasetfrom 2011 and 2012. P. pygmaeus was more likely to be present in areas with tall, structurally complex features, for example tree canopies or unmanaged hedgerows. P. pipistrellus, although favouring the same broad habitat, occurred more often around agricultural land, managed hedgerows and low features like fences. P. pygmaeus had more specialist habitat preferences and significantly stronger associations with broadleaf woodland, riparian zones and lakes. Using Google Street View TM in combination with satellite or aerial photography for surveys means that a wide geographic area can be studied remotely and at much lower cost. There is considerable potential for cross border and international studies using similar methodologies.