09/01/2021
In September mating season begins. Males of most species use special calls to attract females, which can include purrs, clicks, and buzzing. Bats also concentrate on building up fat stores for the coming months - https://bats.org.uk/about-bats/a-year-in-the-life-of-a-bat
05/04/2021
Local Bat Profile: Indiana Bat
Status: Endangered
Like many cavity or crevice dwelling bats, Indiana myotis switch roosts often throughout the summer maternity season. Maternity colonies appear to have at least one “primary roost” that is used by the majority of the colony. Over a dozen different “alternate roosts” may be used by portions of the colony intermittently.
Myotis sodalis - Bat Conservation International
Pronunciation: my-oh-tis so-dal-is The Indiana myotis was one of the first bat species in the United States to be recognized…
05/03/2021
Remember any kind of *cide (pesticide, insecticide, rodenticide) impacts every species it touches. Not just the target.
First bald eagle death in Massachusetts from rodenticides confirmed
MassWildlife officials recently confirmed that a bald eagle has died from second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR) poisoning. While documented elsewhere, this is the first confirmed case of an eagle dying from rodenticide poisoning in MA.
04/17/2021
MassWildlife Celebrates Bat Appreciation Day
April 17 marks International Bat Appreciation Day. There are nine species of bats that live in Massachusetts, five ;of which are considered endangered. Currently, one of the greatest threats to bats is White-nose Syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease that has caused devastating mortality of bats that spe...
04/17/2021
Did you know that an individual bat can eat an estimated 600+ insects per hour? For Bat Appreciation Day, learn a little about these beneficial mammals and how we can protect them.
Bats
Bats are truly remarkable animals as well as our only flying mammals. Unfortunately their unwarranted reputation has prevented many people from appreciating how beneficial and unique they are. Get the facts about bats—their appearance, life cycles, behaviors, and roles in healthy ecosystems.
03/26/2021
Bats are arriving for the season!
02/26/2021
Austin Bat Refuge has saved thousands and needs your help with supplies and donations.
There are links to their website and wishlist at the bottom of the news link. Please help Austin’s bats if you can!
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/hard-freeze-left-familiar-central-texas-bats-dead-or-struggling-for-life?fbclid=IwAR0YndcbsXgONFXx78lk4RlcWweyY4lD2793EObVECSUZjM5T97wfvRA86I
Hard freeze left Central Texas bats dead or struggling for life
We’re used to seeing Austin’s iconic bats in happier times and better weather heading out at sunset in search of food. Their population is estimated to be in the millions. But these are very different times. After a week of rare sub-freezing temperatures Texas Parks & Wildlife says it&rs...
01/14/2021
Bat Profile: Hoary Bat
Hoary bats are one of America’s largest and most handsome bats. With their long, dense, white-tipped fur, they have a frosted, or hoary, appearance. Humans rarely get the chance to see these magnificent bats; they are not attracted to houses or other human structures, and they stay well-hidden in foliage throughout the day.
They will travel up to 24 miles foraging for insects.
Lasiurus cinereus - Bat Conservation International
Pronunciation: lay-zee-your-us sa-near-ee-us Hoary bats are one of America’s largest and most handsome bats. With their long, dense, white-tipped fur,…
12/19/2020
Bat Profile: Little Brown Myotis. (Little Brown Bat). Myotis is Latin for Mouse-eared bat.
Once our most common species. Due to White Nose Syndrome and loss of habitat, local populations are down ~96%. Recently added to the endangered lists of many New England states.
One Little Brown Myotis can consume 1200 insects/hour and can live up to 40 years!
Myotis lucifugus - Bat Conservation International
Pronunciation: my-oh-tis loo-ciff-a-guss The little brown myotis is abundant throughout forested areas of the U.S. as far north as Alaska.…
12/03/2020
Bat Profile: Big Brown Bat
Now our most common species found across New England.
"Numerous feeding studies of big brown bats exist indicating that they consume significant crop and forest pests including ground beetles, scarab beetles, cucumber beetles, snout beetles and stink bugs, in addition to numerous species of moths and leafhoppers. Like many bat species, reproductive females often can consume their body weight in insects each night. In fact, a colony of 150 big brown bats can consume enough adult cucumber beetles in one summer to prevent egg-laying that would produce 33 million of their root-worm larvae, a major pest of corn"
Eptesicus fuscus - Bat Conservation International
Pronunciation: ep-tess-a-cus fuss-cuss The big brown bat is found in virtually every American habitat ranging from timberline meadows to lowland…
11/26/2020
Bracken Cave, TX. Home to the largest colony of bats in the world. It’s estimated that 20 million Mexican free-tail bats call it home.
Happy ! 🦇 In this season of gratitude, we thank you for protecting bats around the globe whose nighttime work pollinating, re-seeding, and consuming pest insects ensures a bountiful harvest. Sending gratitude and warm wishes for you and your loved ones this holiday season. 🦇 📸 Jonathan Alonzo