Together, the emergence counts and acoustic surveys provide an important look at bat activity around Refuge Headquarters. They help Friends of Malheur better understand how these historic buildings are being used, and they offer a foundation for future stewardship of both the buildings and the wildlife that depend on them.
Calls of the following species were recorded and identified by specialized software: pallid bat, big brown bat, silver-haired bat, Mexican free-tailed bat, little brown bat, western small-footed bat, hoary bat, California bat, long-legged bat, Yuma bat, canyon bat and long-eared bat.
The roosting sites are historic buildings having been constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Volunteers will work in teams of 2 and will be trained to use a Wildlife Acoustics Echometer PRO for species ID and clicker counter for abundance.
As it turned out there was a bat survey in the works in August and a mussel salvage project also happening that month. As a retired bat and mussel biologist for the Department of Interior, these two projects couldn’t have been more suited to my skills and interest.
For the past two years, it has been my honor to serve as president of the Friends of Malheur, a volunteer post that has given me a way to continue my lifelong involvement in the protection of our nation’s outstanding natural places. Now, however, it’s time to stand aside and pass the baton to a successor.
Join us in celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week in honor of Malheur NWR and the Friends who promote its conservation. Come & Bring your friends!
