Join the Bat Count between July 11 and August 5 and contribute to the monitoring of bat populations in BC.
With the occurrence of White-nose Syndrome in North America, monitoring bat colonies is more important than ever. All you need is a known bat roosting site (e.g., your attic, a bat box, an unoccupied building), a pen and paper. Counting once or twice during the bat count dates is all that's needed.
Here's how. It's fun and simple (glass of wine or beer while counting is optional):
- Arrive at your bat roost at sunset (bats will begin to emerge at dusk).
- The air temperature should be at least 12 deg (C) with low wind speed.
- Sit or stand outside so that the bats' exit point is visible from a comfortable distance. More than one person might be needed if bats are exiting from multiple points.
- Tally the bats as they fly out for their nightly insect-eating. A hand clicker can help.
- Record your observations on the data sheet (available at www.bcbats.ca/attachments/BCBatCountdataform2017.pdf ).
- Mail your data sheet to the BC Community Bat Program at the end of the summer.
Do not enter bat roosts or handle the animals.
Please respect private property. Ask permission if the bat roost is on someone else's land.
The Annual Bat Count and the BC Community Bat Program (bcbats.ca) are funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC.
For more information go to www.bcbats.ca or contact ThINC@thetisisland.net.
