Eight Things You Can Do to Help Bats - Part 3

The Third Step You Can Take to Help Your Local Bats

                        

                         Make Your Yard Bat Friendly!

Bats eat insects, so anything you can do to increase the number of night-flying insects will improve habitat for bats. When you are planting “big” elements in your garden, such as trees or shrubs, try to incorporate species that are native to your area. Native plants, trees and shrubs are more likely to support native insect fauna; native species may also be more tolerant of the climatic conditions in your area and use less water than exotic shrub and tree species. Deciduous trees provide better habitat for insects (such as moths and beetles that may be eaten by bats) than coniferous trees (such as pine and spruce).

Numerous North American studies have shown that pesticide spraying, both agricultural and residential, can lead to toxic effects on various insectivorous bat species. Pollutants (such as PCBs, heavy metals, and cyanide and other compounds) that settle into pond, wetland and lake sediments can be taken up by larval forms of insects that eventually emerge and become prey for flying bats. These pollutants can be traced in bat hair and organ tissues, they can accumulate in the fat tissue of bats and may cross the placenta into developing bat embryos. The effects of pesticides are biggest on the weakest and the youngest bats that rely most heavily on stored fat reserves.

Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes) captured in William's Lake, B.C. (with wingband). Photo by: Gina Roberts.

Water is also important. Breeding females who are nursing young bats are very thirsty after spending their day in a hot roost (temperatures can reach 37°C and higher). The first thing most bats do when they leave their roost in summer is to head for water to drink. A study of insectivorous bats in dry areas in Europe found that home range sizes for bats were very large and this was thought to be primarily due to the distances travelled to water sources. Another study in western North America found that reduced availability of water, especially to breeding female bats will reduce their ability to successfully raise young bats.

Ponds should be clear of vegetation to allow for straight flight-paths of bats skimming the water to drink.

Lines of shrubs or trees can also provide security cover for flying bats. Bats leave their roosts at dusk, usually flying from a day roost directly to a water source for a drink or then along routes to favoured foraging areas (possibly wetlands or other areas with abundant night-flying insect life). Birds of prey may hunt just at dusk, picking off commuting bats. Owls also will hunt flying bats. For this reason, bats like to fly along edges of forests in the shadows where they may be less visible to predators (it is also for this reason that bats seem to avoid flying as much on nights with a full moon, a behaviour referred to as “lunaphobia”). Some bat species will avoid crossing open areas and in the UK, studies found some bat species will avoid gaps as small as 10 metres across.

Providing roosting habitat for bats is also important. Trees with cavities, buildings and bat houses are all options for providing bat roosting habitat. This is a big topic though, and I will make that the focus of my next blog entry!

To create your own bat-friendly property:

• Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides on your property.
• Provide a pond with clean and open water for drinking bats.
• Plant shrubs and plants that support night-flying moth species eaten by bats.
• Plant shrubs and trees along fence lines or between forested areas and wet areas (such as wetlands, ponds or river areas) to provide safe cover for bats flying between day-roosting areas and foraging and drinking habitat. Many bats prefer not to fly across open areas because of the risk of being preyed upon by night-flying hunters such as owls or dusk-flying hunters such as falcons and hawks. Lines of trees and shrubs provide a shadowy cover for flying and commuting bats.
•  Keep your back yard dark at night. If you need lights on for security, use lights that are activated by a motion-sensor. Urban lighting has been shown to not be beneficial to bats. Although lights may attract insect prey, bright lights impair bat vision (yes they can see – but prefer dim lighting) and research has shown that most bat species do not benefit from lights. Don’t point lighting at a bat house or a roost.

Deciduous trees and shrubs provide leafy forage for moth caterpillars. Native and local species are great planting choices for your backyard. In particular moths and butterflies benefit from the presence of:

·         Oaks (Genus Quercus); on the prairies, this includes bur oak, elsewhere red and white oaks provide great habitat for Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies).

Oak tree (Quercus spp.)

·         Cherry trees (Genus Prunus); includes pin cherry, chokecherry and plum among others.

Pin Cherry (Prunus spp.)

·         Willows (Genus Salix); willows are a diverse group, check which species is local and try to find a native one to plant; size varies from full trees to low shrubs.

·         Birch (Genus Betula); birches are widespread across Canada and the US but species vary depending on locality and habitat; again look for a native species to plant, it will be hardier and may support a greater variety of moth species.

·         Poplars (Genus Populus); includes aspen, poplar and cottonwoods; trees vary greatly in size and shape within this Genus, usually these are fairly fast-growing wherever they are grown.

·         Apple or Crabapple (Genus Malus); flowering crab trees and apple trees provide habitat for a variety of butterflies and moths; spring-flowering, these are also considered ornamentals.

·         Maple (Genus Acer); another diverse group of trees, garden centres carry numerous species that are not native to North America; stick to native species for best effect.

·         Blueberry (Genus Vaccinium); includes serviceberry (Saskatoon), cranberry, bilberry and huckleberry (among others).

·         Alder (Genus Aldus); range in size from full trees to shrubs; usually fast-growing.

Garden plants that bloom late in the afternoon or at night can include:

·         Evening Primrose (Genus Oenothera), many plants in this Genus are also drought-resistant, some are pollinated by moths (which means moths are using flowers for food, either using nectar and/or pollen).

·         Phlox (Genus name is Phlox), the foliage provides larval food to a number of moth species, flowers are fragrant, species of plants within this group maybe tall or low growing, flowers may be blue, violet, pink, red or white depending on the type.

·         Nightflowering/Silene catchfly (Genus Silene), also known as campion in the Pink family; the species Silene noctiflora is considered a weed on the Canadian prairies but its night-flowering habit attracts moths that feed on copious amounts of nectar produced by the plant and in turn the moths act as a pollinators.

·         Milkweeds (Genus Asclepias), the foliage provides larval food for developing moths and butterflies, these plants are also important for Monarch butterflies and are a recommended plant for butterfly gardens. Be sure to ask for your local, native milkweed species at your garden centre.

·         Goldenrod (Genus Solidago), tall (up to a metre) with yellow flowers that bloom in late summer, this plant spreads through seed production and rhizome growth (so planting them in a buried pot or pail with the bottom cu out might be helpful if you are trying to contain them to an area of your garden); unfairly this plant is blamed for causing seasonal allergies, however it blooms at the same time as the more likely culprit, ragweed. Goldenrod pollen has been shown to not be the cause allergies (it produces very little pollen and that pollen is too heavy and sticky to be blown around). Pollen and nectar is used by insects, including moths; the plant foliage is used by moths and butterflies as larval food (which may cause the formation of galls that maybe subsequently pecked open by woodpeckers that eat the enclosed developing larva). Above-ground parts of the plant are all edible.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

·         Purple coneflower (Genus Echinacea), purple flowers up to a metre in height, flowers are used by butterflies and bees and some moths will use flower heads as food for their developing larva. Drooping flowers may be a sign of moth larva in the cone head; however they likely will only affect a few of your flowers, so if you are a gardener please hold off with the pesticides. If you are trying to provide habitat for moths, congratulations! You have succeeded in providing moth breeding habitat!

·         Four o’clocks (Genus Mirabilis) as the name implies, they bloom in the late afternoon and evening, providing fragrant flowers and abundant nectar to night-flying moths such as Sphinx moths and hawk moths (Sphingidae) that act as pollinators for these multi-coloured flowers.

·         Salvia (Genus Salvia), foliage is used as food for developing larva of numerous moth and butterfly species.

·         Nicotiana (Genus Nicotiana) late afternoon, evening the flowers are very fragrant; the foliage is used by a number of moth species including the families Noctuidae and Sphingidae (hawk moths and sphinx moths).

·         Moonflowers – a varied group that includes a several groups – flowers all bloom in late-evening; provide nectar for foraging moths.

·         Aromatic herbs

Always check to see if your plant is an invasive species before you put it in the ground!

Canada Council on Invasive Species - http://canadainvasives.ca/

British Columbia Invasive Plant Council   http://bcinvasives.ca/

Alberta Invasive Plant Council https://www.abinvasives.ca/

Saskatchewan Invasive Plant Council - http://www.saskinvasives.ca/

Manitoba Invasive Plant Council - http://invasivespeciesmanitoba.com/site/

Ontario Invasive Plant Council - http://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/

Prince Edward Island Invasive Species Council - http://peiinvasives.ca/  

Invasive Species Alliance of Nova Scotia - http:/ /www.invasivespeciesns.ca/

Yukon Invasive Species Council - http://www.yukoninvasives.com/

For more information on gardening to benefit wildlife see this page called “Ecosystem Gardening” http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/top-10-best-woody-plants-in-conservation-gardening.html for an excellent review. Also see “The Ultimate Guide to Gardening for Butterflies and Moths” http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/guide-to-butterfly-gardening/ for a list of resource books to help you with your garden planning!

Eight Things You Can Do To Help Bats - Part 2

 2.      Support Bat Conservation

Supporting bat conservation can mean donating dollars or it can mean donating your time. If you are going to share your hard earned cash with conservation groups, be sure how your dollars will be invested and how efficiently they are used. You can support bats by simply sharing information about them. Many people know little about this group or are very much misinformed. I have given numerous talks to elementary schools about bats over the years and it always amazes the teachers that the kids get so excited learning about this group of animals. Simply building and setting up bat houses is another way to support bats. There is a growing movement to do this across North America, but the movement needs staying power. Most bat boxes have a lifespan of about 10 years or so. If we support bats with artificial roost structures, such as boxes, they need to be replaced or maintained. 

·         Join or support a bat conservation organization

There are several groups in Canada that support bat conservation, research and education. Bats have always needed support to protect their habitats, but with the continuing spread of the fungus responsible for White-nose Syndrome, bats have moved up to top priority status for many conservation groups.

o   Bat Conservation International

o   British Columbia Community Bat Projects

o   Canadian Wildlife Federation – Help The Bats

o   Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada

Townsend's Big-eared Bat, Denman Island, B.C. Photo: Ecologic Research.

• Bat Conservation International (BCI) is a reputable organization who has done amazing things for bats around the world. Highly respected by bat biologists world-wide, BCI’s focussed programs to promote education, conservation and management have led the way for bat and bat habitat protection.
• The Community Bat Programs of British Columbia  first initiated in the Kootenay Valley is now available in communities across British Columbia. The program aims to help homeowners conserve and report their bat roosts on private property as well as educating the public about bats and assisting with construction and deployment of bat houses. They also help to sensitively exclude bats from buildings where bat presence is not compatible with use and assist with suggestions for appropriate alternate roosting habitat for resident bats. The program receives support from a number of sources including the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund of British Columbia (HCTF) who have a history of funding bat research in the province.
• The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) has been a part of the Canadian landscape since the early 1960’s. Most widely known for their “Hinterland’s Who’s Who” videos, CWF has been involved in education and conservation across Canada. Their “Help The Bats” program is focussed on education and promoting the construction of bat houses. They also run a community-based bat monitoring program coordinating with elementary schools and the public across Canada.
• The Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada (WCSC) currently supports a bat ecologist who is focussing on important bat work in Western Canada. Research includes surveys of bat diversity, fungal spore baseline work to detect the presence of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (the fungus responsible for White-nose Syndrome), as well as important work to understand the behaviour of hibernating bats. They also currently support the initiation of the new North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat), a citizen-science-based program to detect the presence of bats across Canada and the USA using a combination of bat detectors and driving transects.

·         Volunteer for programs making a difference for bats and bat habitat, or for wildlife habitat in general (this is not an exhaustive list but includes some of the major players in Canada)

There are a number of wildlife conservation organizations across North America who purchase or protect land. Their objectives may not be directly focused on bats, but they inadvertently are providing protection for important bat habitat. National, provincial and municipal parks may protect bat habitat and this includes historic sites that may have buildings that house roosting bats. There are many experienced wildlife biologists out there who, if asked, “What is the best way to spend money to conserve wildlife in Canada?” would answer, “Buy land.” I also think it is important to support research, but I firmly support the efforts to set aside land for the purpose of protecting ecosystems.

o   Ducks Unlimited – wetland conservation, protection and management are one of the keystone mandates of DU across North America. Ducks like ponds and wetlands; bats like ponds and wetlands. Our North American bat species benefit from conservation efforts for ducks and duck habitats. There are always volunteer opportunities with Ducks Unlimited and many ways to help conserve wetlands.

o   The Nature Trust of BC – manages an important bat hibernation site in Coastal British Columbia; this organization makes land purchases for wildlife and ecological conservation.

o   The Land Conservancy of British Columbia – makes land purchases and promotes programs to conserve bats (and other wildlife and ecosystems) in British Columbia. They also maintain a property on Vancouver Island that houses a large colony of Townsend’s Big-eared Bat (Blue-listed/Vulnerable in British Columbia).

o   British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF) – a federally registered charity dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of British Columbia’s ecosystems and species; one of their goals is habitat acquisition to conserve wildlife in BC, including bats.

o   Ontario Nature (formerly the Federation of Ontario Naturalists) – non-profit organization that promotes protection and conservation of a number of natural areas in Ontario with their own system of 24 natural reserve areas totalling 2400 hectares in Ontario. They also promote education and produce a quarterly magazine called “ON Nature”. They currently have no specific program for bats, but their efforts to preserve land and manage forests for birds also benefits bat species.

o   The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) – a long-standing, non-profit organization that promotes the protection and conservation of large, connected natural areas across Canada. CPAWS has no specific program targeted towards bat conservation, but its efforts to conserve natural areas protects habitat for bats.
o   The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) – an established non-profit organization in Canada with branches represented across Canada, the NCC works to conserve and manage natural areas across the country. 

Eight Things You Can Do To Help Bats

Start with understanding....

There is a lot of negative news about bats these days. It gets depressing if you just think about all that is going wrong in the world of bats these days, so I thought it would be helpful to create a list of things ANYONE can do to help bats. This is my first go at blogging - so I will write about eight things over a series of blog posts. Hopefully someone finds these useful!

First Step:

 1.     Get to know the bats in your area.

•             Bats are fascinating mammals that provide valuable ecosystem services through their consumption of huge numbers of insects. One study estimated the value provided by bats in pest control in the United States for one year was up to $53 billion US. Another study calculated that a colony of 100 Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) would consume about 19 kilograms (42 pounds) of insects in a four month period! Another study calculated that a colony of 150 Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) could consume 38,000 cucumber beetles, 16,000 June bugs, 19,000 stinkbugs, and 50,000 leafhoppers over a single summer! A mother bat nursing a young bat learning to fly can eat more than their own weight in insects in one night! 

•       Bats are also amazingly long-lived. Biologists have found bats that are 38 and 42 years old in Alberta and eastern North America! However, they reproduce very slowly. Most insectivorous bats give birth to only one pup per year (although some may have twins) and they only have one litter per year. Less than half of young bats likely survive their first winter. These facts mean that recovery of population losses can be very very slow. 

•           Many people think of their local bat population as a single “type” or as a single species. The truth is that there are many different kinds of bats – different sizes, using different parts of the ecosystem, eating different things and some of them are quite different in appearance! In Canada, the province of British Columbia has the most species with 18 different kinds of bats. Across Canada, there are 21 different species in total. The Prairie Provinces have around 8 or 9 different species. The further south you go in North America – the greater the variety of bat species. Worldwide, there are over 1000 different kinds of bats.  

•           Bats are found just about everywhere on the planet. They will use urban landscapes as well as wild lands including marshes, forests, cliffs, caves, from high elevations to low elevations. The only places without bats are those that are too cold and without available roosting habitat (e.g., the Antarctic and Arctic Regions).

Where do I start?

·         Look online for bat educational resources, especially Bat Conservation International who has been instrumental in bat conservation throughout North America and the world.

·         Look online for bat information provided by your province or state. Almost all provincial/state governments have a Department that handles Fish and Wildlife issues and many provide great local information on bats.

·         Consult your local library for a mammal guide for your area and figure out which species should be present.

·         Check out your local naturalist club and see if there are any bat enthusiasts. Join in and learn together!

·         Useful online resources for bats in Canada and the US:

o   Bat Conservation International (International batwork, based in Austin, Texas)

o   Western Bat Working Group (bat biologists, researchers, wildlife managers from Western North America)

o   BC BAT British Columbia Bat Action Team (bat biologists, wildlife managers, consultants working to promote bat conservation)

o   ABAT Alberta Bat Action Team (bat biologists, wildlife managers, consultants working to promote bat conservation)

o   Alberta Environment – Bats of Alberta

o   White-nose Syndrome Team

o   The Toronto Zoo – Bat Conservation Guide 

o   Organization for Bat Conservation (American organization, based in Michigan, USA)