The B.C. Community Bat Program is seeking volunteers and bat colonies for the annual Bat Count.
This citizen-science initiative encourages residents to count bats.
鈥淏at counts are a wonderful way for residents to get involved in collecting important scientific information,鈥� says biologist Mandy Kellner, coordinator of the B.C. Community Bat Program. 鈥淣o special skills are needed, you can be any age, and you can relax in a deck chair while counting.鈥�
The Bat Count will collect baseline data on bat populations before the expected arrival of something called white nose syndrome, a fungal disease.
鈥淲hite nose syndrome is estimated to have killed more than seven million bats since it was first discovered in eastern North America a decade ago,鈥� said Kellner. 鈥淲e need the public鈥檚 help to census local bat populations 鈥� we never know when it is our last year to obtain population estimates before white nose syndrome causes widespread declines in western North America.鈥�
For the counts, volunteers wait outside a known roost site, such as a bat-house, barn, bridge or attic, and document the number of bats as they fly out at twilight. They record the final number along with basic information on weather conditions. Ideally, one or two counts are done between June 1 and 21 before pups are born, and one or聽 two more between July 11 and Aug. 5, when pups are flying.
The B.C. Community Bat Program provides information for people dealing with bat issues on their property or who have questions about how to attract bats. To find out more about bat counts, visit bcbats.ca or call 1-855-9BC-BATS.
