This summer (2016) CMI partnered with the Department of Defense, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and National Park Services among others to study bat populations. Much of the research was conducted mainly on military bases, wildlife management areas, and National Park lands throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. One of the main goals was to find out what species persist after populations declines from white nose syndrome which was discovered in Virginia
in 2006.

Bats emit both ultra-sonic and audible calls that allow researchers to identify various species of free-flying bats. Acoustic recorders are used to record these calls and allow researchers to identify these species.  The acoustic recorders are set up in different habits such as corridors in the forests, on the edge of open water, and bottomland forests. These areas are frequented by bats because they provide superb flyways, food, and water. Senior research associate Mike St Germain says “Bats are like people, they prefer the paths of least resistance”, meaning they’re not as likely to fly in thick understories with a lot of obstacles.

Data were also sampled through trapping. Mist nets are set-up and monitored throughout each night of trapping. Once a bat is caught, it is identified to species and sex, and measurements are taken. If one of the white nose impacted species was caught such (e.g., the Northern long-eared bat) it was banded and fitted with a radio transmitter. This way the researchers track the bat to learn more about the daily movements and roosting preferences of these species.

Bats are very important to the ecosystem. They eat well over their body weight in insects every night which means less mosquitoes and agricultural pests. Using the data collected, wildlife managers can determine what the best course of action to help conserve declining populations of these important nocturnal insectivores.

red bat Northern-long eared bat