The Queen spends her summers at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, and according to new reports, the royal will be taking part in a rather unusual activity during her stay.

The monarch, 93, who has been visiting her favourite holiday home every year since she was a child, is said to help her staff capture and release bats, who nest in the ballroom of the Aberdeenshire estate.

While the royal reportedly used to help catch the protected pipistrelle bats with nets before carefully releasing them, she is now said to watch staff as they capture them - 'to keep everyone from getting bored stiff'.

And according to the surprising reports, the creatures have become the Queen's third favourite animal - after her Corgis and her horses.

The Queen, 93, who has been visiting her favourite holiday home every year since she was a child, is said to help her staff capture and release the bats who nest in the ballroom of the Aberdeenshire estate. The royal is pictured in Cumbernauld last month

Speaking to The Sun, royal editor Adam Helliker explained that the staff would love to be rid of the bats as they 'defecate everywhere', but they are not allowed as they are a protected species.

'The Queen used to do the net wielding but she doesn't do it now. Now I'm told the Queen shouts encouragement but observes the proceedings,' he explained.

'It's more of a show put on for her by staff. That's just one of the things they do at Balmoral to stop them getting bored stiff.

'Although the footsmen would love it if they weren't there, I think you could say after horses and corgis, bats are her much lesser-known third favourite.'

While the royal reportedly used to help catch the protected pipistrelle bats with nets before carefully releasing them, she is now said to watch staff as they capture them - 'to keep everyone from getting bored stiff'

An endangered Pipistrelle bat is pictured. The creatures have reportedly become the Queen's third favourite animal

FEMAIL has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.

The Queen traditionally spends the summer months at Balmoral and Christmas at Sandringham.

However this year her annual summer trip could be delayed, so she can greet the new prime minister.

The royal usually leaves for her Scottish retreat before tourists arrive at Buckingham Palace for its summer opening.

But an insider has told the Daily Mail's Richard Eden, that this year, while tourists arrive on Saturday, July 20, the new PM won’t be announced until the following Tuesday.

‘The Queen will not go to Balmoral before meeting her 14th prime minister,’ a royal source said.

‘She does not want to travel 500 miles to the Highlands and back just for the meeting.

'She will stay at Windsor, so as not to bump into any visitors at the palace, and the new PM will be driven there.’