Bats Use Storm Fronts to Conserve Energy During Long-Distance Migrations

Researchers discover that noctule bats surf warm winds ahead of storms to travel up to 400 kilometers in a single night.

Scientists tracked 71 noctule bats across Europe using lightweight sensors to study their spring migration behavior over three years.
The bats were found to use warm storm fronts, taking advantage of tailwinds to conserve energy during their long flights.
Unlike birds, bats do not follow fixed migration corridors and must stop frequently to feed, resulting in sporadic travel patterns.
The study revealed that bats leave en masse on nights with dropping air pressure and rising temperatures, signaling incoming storms.
Findings could inform conservation efforts, such as adjusting wind turbine operations to reduce bat fatalities during migration.