Bats surveys on USFS Northern Region lands in Montana (original) (raw)
Related papers
Monitoring trends in bat populations of the United States and territories: problems and prospects
2003
Populations of bats (Order Chiroptera) are difficult to monitor. However, current recognition of the importance of bats to biodiversity, their ecological and economic value as ecosystem components, and their vulnerability to declines makes monitoring trends in their populations a much-needed cornerstone for their future management. We report fdings and recommendations of a recent expert workshop on monitoring trends in bat populations in the United States and territories. We summarize selected case reports presented by others at the workshop, including reviews of methods and ongoing efforts to monitor a wide range of species of bats in a diverse array of situations. Most efforts at monitoring bat populations involve use of indices that are uncalibrated in relation to population size, do not incorporate measures of variation or detectability, are discontinuous in time and space, and sometimes lack standard protocols. This is in part because the complex and variable natural history of bats poses many challenges to monitoring. We also review principal findings and recommendations made by workshop participants. Recommendations centered on improving methods for monitoring populations of bats, defining objectives and priorities for monitoring, gaining mandates for monitoring, and enhancing information exchange.
Bat Species Presence in Southwestern Montana
aBStract Published information on bat species presence in many parts of Montana is limited. Our study was initiated to gather data on the distribution of bat species found in the southwestern part of the state. We captured 106 individuals of eight bat species in mist-nets at 15 water sources in southwestern Montana during July through August 2003-2006. The western long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis) was the most frequently captured species and detected at over half the sites surveyed. Other common species captured across numerous sites included little brown myotis (M. lucifugus), hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus), and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). These species are apparently broadly distributed throughout southwestern Montana, occurring in a variety of habitat types. Our study provides some much needed baseline data on bat distribution in southwestern Montana.
1998
work was bat use of Azure Cave, the largest bat hibernaculum in the state and one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rocky Mountains regions. Three rock-shelter caves were also evaluated for bat use. Three hibernation counts in Azure Cave (April 1997 and 1998, November 1998), and two trapping sessions at the mouth of Azure Cave (October 1997, September 1998), were conducted during the study. Counts of hibernating bats in Azure Cave indicated a significant increase since 1978, the first count available for the cave, and the only complete count for the hibernation period. In April 1978, maximum count was 528. Mean counts in April 1997 and 1998 were 1246 and 1120, respectively. Mean count in November 1998 was 1604. Four species of bats were documented in Azure Cave in 1997-1998: Townsend's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans). Most use continues to be by species of Myotis. Two nights of netting in October 1997 at the mouth of Azure Cave resulted in capture of 15 bats of three species: Townsend's Big-eared Bat (1), Big Brown Bat (13), Little Brown Myotis (1). Two of the Big Brown Bats were recaptured males marked at the cave in October 1996. Two nights of netting at the cave in September 1998 resulted in capture of 150 bats of six species: Townsend's Big-eared Bat (2), Big Brown Bat (49), Little Brown Myotis (82), Longlegged Myotis (10), Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum) (3), Western Long-eared Myotis (Myotis evotis) (4). One male Big Brown Bat, marked at the cave in October 1996, was present in this sample. Significantly more males were present in netting samples of Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Myotis, and Long-legged Myotis, species for which sample sizes were largest. Within species, especially Little Brown Myotis and Big Brown Bats, mean weights in September were greater than in June or July. For Big Brown bats, weight declined in October, perhaps indicating that late-flying individuals were still attempting to gain fat reserves prior to hibernation. Alternatively, they may have been seeking additional opportunities for mating at the expense of accumulated fat stores. Evidence of bat use was found in two of three rock-shelter caves examined. These caves were shallow (21 m maximum depth), and are most likely used as night roosts. Numerous other limestone pockets and rock-shelter caves, as yet unexamined for bat sign, could be used by bats. Most old mine workings are no longer accessible to bats, but a few could provide significant habitat and merit further examination. Most caves and mines of any size in the Little Rocky Mountains are too cold for use as maternity roosts by bats. To date, seven species of bats (the six previously listed plus the Hoaiy Bat. Lashirus cinereus) have been verified in the Little Rocky Mountains, and an additional species (Silverhaired Bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans) has been reported, based on vocal recordings. A summary of all records for each species is provided. Unauthorized human entiy into Azure Cave, especially if it occurs during the period of occupancy, continues to be a management concern for protection of the bats using the cave as a hibernaculum. Means to improve security of the gate (while maintaining accessibility for bats), and regular visits to Azure Cave to check on gate integrity, should be considered. ni ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project was made possible through support of the Montana Natural Heritage Programa collaborative effort of The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resource Information Systemand a Challenge Cost Share agreement with the (former) Lewistown District, Bureau of Land Management. Michelle Williams and Dave Genter secured the initial contract that got this project going. Tim Novotny supervised the supplemental contract that covered the field work reported herein.
1995
Eight species of vespenilionid bats were identified during field surveys on the Sioux District. Custer National Forest in June and September 1994. Most of the 18 sites surveyed were associated with water (springs, reservoirs, beaver ponds, stock ponds). Species identified were long-eared myotis (Myotis evo(is), western small-footed myotis (M. ciliolabrum) , long-legged myotis (M. volans), fringed myotis (M. thysanodes), silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans), big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) , hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), and Townsend's big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii). The literature on the bat fauna of the Sioux District includes one species not detected in 1994, little brown myotis {Myotis lucifugus) (Andersen and Jones 1971, Jones et al. 1973). Most Myotis species cannot be distinguished with bat detectors (the primary survey tool in 1994), so M. lucifugus may actually have been present (unidentified Myotis species were detected at nine sites). M. thysanodes (an adult non-lactating female), caught in a mist net in the Slim Buttes, is a new species recorded for the area. Current lists include 2 bat species from Chalk Buttes, 7 species from Ekalaka Hills, 8 species from the Long Pines, 6 necies from North Cave Hills, 3 species from South Cave Hills, and 9 species from Slim Buttes; no survey work was conducted in Chalk Buttes in 1994. Only the list from Slim Buttes includes all species known to occur on Sioux District lands. Only Eptesicus fuscus has been recorded from each of the six main units of the Sioux District; with the exception of M. thysanodes, all other species have been detected on at least three of the six units. Seven species are known to breed on the Sioux District, based on males with enlarged testes, Iactating females, or females with embryos. One other species (Plecotus townsendii) was present at sites in the Ekalaka Hills, Long Pines, North Cave Hills, and Slim Buttes during the breeding season, is known to breed in the Black Hills to the south, and probably breeds in the area. Only M. thysanodes, which also breeds in the Black Hills, is of uncertain status on the Sioux District at this time. Currently, nothing is known about which species overwinter on the Sioux District.
Bat Activity in Harvested and Intact Forest Stands in the Allegheny Mountains
Northern Journal of Applied Forestry, 2004
We used Anabat acoustical monitoring devices to examine bat activity in intact canopy forests, complex canopy forests with gaps, forests subjected to diameter-limit harvests, recent deferment harvests, clearcuts and unmanaged forested riparian areas in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia in the summer of 1999. We detected eight species of bats, including the endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). Most bat activity was concentrated in forested riparian areas. Among upland habitats, activity of silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) and hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) was higher in open, less cluttered vegetative types such as recent deferment harvests and clearcuts. Our results suggest that bat species in the central Appalachians partially segregate themselves among vegetative conditions based on differences in body morphology and echolocation call characteristics. From the standpoint of conserving bat foraging habitat for the maximum number of species in the central Ap...
Bat Habitat Use in White Mountain National Forest
Journal of Wildlife Management, 1996
In 1992 and 1993, we surveyed the foraging and feeding activity of bat species with broadband bat detectors at 2 foliage heights in 4 age classes of northern hardwood and spruce/fir forest stands in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire and Maine. The association of bat activity with trails and water bodies and the effect of elevation were measured. Mist nets, a harp trap, and ultrasonic detectors were used to establish species presence. Bat activity was concentrated at trail and water body edges and was uniform within a forest stand at the same sampling height. Within the forest, bat activity was highest in overmature (>l19 yr, 35% of mean bat activity/night) hardwood stands and in regenerating (0-9 yr) stands of both forest types (26% of mean bat activity /night). The majority of bats trapped (56%) were adult male little brown bat (M yotis lucifugus). Our data indicate that a matrix of forest types and age classes including areas of regeneration (clearcuts and group cuts) and overmature hardwood, in combination with trails and water bodies, help fulfill the summer habitat requirements of bats in White Mountain National Forest.
Survey of the Bat Fauna, Desert National wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Western North American Naturalist, 2016
The composition of the bat communities of many public lands remains poorly understood. Historically, inventory and management for bats on most national wildlife refuges was a lower priority than for other species, but in recent decades there has been increasing concern for bat conservation. Calls have been issued for greater management for bats throughout the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) refuge system (Dixon et al. 2013). A first step in addressing these concerns is to gain basic knowledge about the species of bats present on each refuge. We conducted a survey of the bats of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR), Lincoln and Clark counties, Nevada, in 2008-2014. DNWR is the largest