The Annual Bat Count in British Columbia is set to begin on June 1, with volunteers and bat biologists in the Okanagan region gearing up to count bats at maternity roosts. Female bats roost together during the summer months to raise their young, with each female typically having only one pup in June. Male bats, on the other hand, tend to roost alone in various locations such as trees, cliffs, boulder fields, or buildings. The count involves observing a maternity roost at sunset and counting all the bats that emerge for one hour. These roosts can be found in buildings, bat boxes, or bridges.
Last year, volunteers conducted 888 bat counts at 274 different maternity roost sites across the province. This data is important for determining the status of bat populations in BC and monitoring any changes over time. The Annual Bat Count, which began in 2012, is a long-term monitoring program focused on bat summer roosts in the province. It allows biologists to track the impact or recovery of bat species, especially in the face of threats like white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease that has devastated bat populations in other parts of North America.
The fungus that causes WNS was detected in the Grand Forks region of BC in 2022, but the disease itself has not been found in the province yet. Many of the roost sites where bats are counted are home to species like the Little Brown Myotis and Yuma Myotis, both of which are vulnerable to WNS. Bats in BC play a crucial role as predators of night-flying insects, making them essential for ecosystem balance. To report a bat colony or sign up to participate in bat counts, individuals can visit the BC Community Bat Program website or contact them through email or phone.
The data collected from the Annual Bat Count helps biologists understand how bat populations are faring in British Columbia and provides valuable information for conservation efforts. With the decline of bat populations in other regions due to white-nose syndrome, it is crucial to monitor and protect these important creatures. By conducting regular counts at maternity roosts and tracking changes over time, researchers can better assess the health of bat populations and any potential threats they may face. The involvement of volunteers in these efforts is essential for gathering accurate and comprehensive data.
By participating in the Annual Bat Count, volunteers and biologists in the Okanagan region are contributing to the conservation of bat species in British Columbia. The information collected during these counts helps scientists monitor the status of bat populations and identify any concerning trends. With the threat of white-nose syndrome looming, it is more important than ever to track the health of bat populations and take action to protect them. The dedication of volunteers in conducting these counts is essential for ensuring the long-term survival of bats in the province and maintaining the ecological balance they help to uphold.
