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2023 Citizen Science Summit

Jug Bay Pilot Bat Study

Project Overview:

Mist netting and acoustic monitoring survey to determine bat species present at Jug Bay

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2023 Citizen Science Summit

Methodology: Mist net survey and passive acoustic monitoring

Bat biologists: Kayt Collins, Marco Carvello, Gwen Brewer, Dr. Shannon Brown, Madey Richardson, Jen Dietzen

Citizen scientists/volunteers: Michelle Campbell, Maryla Chiha, Jeanette Kazmierczak, Eva Blockstein, Travis Roney, Jessica Roney, Katy Clark, Karen, Christina Olson

Celebrity cameo: Pati Delgado

2023 Citizen Science Summit

The mist net survey preparation began a few hours prior to sunset and involved setting up multiple mist nets of varying widths and heights, ranging from 4 meters to 9 meters wide and 10 to 30 feet high. Mist nets were set up along the Otter Point trail, the entrance to the Marsh boardwalk trail, and on the Forest Trail by the entrance to the meadow.

Beginning at sunset, nets are checked every 20 minutes. Any bats caught in the mist nets are then collected and placed individually in brown paper bags for weighing and transporting. After weighing, measurements are taken, which included forearm length, ear length, foot length, tragus length. We assess sex, age (adult or juvenile), reproductive status, and wing scar score. Species data are collected and measurements can help identify when species is not obvious. All handling is performed by rabies-vaccinated biologists under the USFWS collection permit, but volunteers can assist with data recording and mist net setup. The team followed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Range-Wide Indiana Bat & Northern Long-Eared Bat Survey Guidelines and the National White-Nose Syndrome Decontamination Protocol.

Multiple acoustic monitors were set up adjacent to netting sites and on the observation deck near the Visitor Center. The team used ANABAT Walkabout Bat Detectors to detect and record bat calls, which are generally undetectable by human ears. The bat detector can visually represent bat calls, which can then be interpreted by appropriate software. Bat recording data was loaded into Kaleidoscope Acoustic Monitoring Software for interpretation.

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2023 Citizen Science Summit

Project Goals and Objectives:

To kick-off baseline bat species diversity survey

To discuss feasibility of more targets and species-specific surveys

To learn best netting locations for future surveys

To brainstorm future bat education events

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2023 Citizen Science Summit

Key Findings and Data Analysis: Mist Net Survey

July 28, 2023

4 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)

1 Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis)

July 29, 2023

7 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)

2 Eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis)

*Weather challenges

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Key Findings and Data Analysis: Acoustic Monitoring

Detected presence of:

evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis)
silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)
hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus)
tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus)

*Weather challenges

Eastern red bat call

Evening bat call

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Future Directions

Twice-yearly mist netting survey
Expand acoustic surveys to monthly events during bat season
Education event

Why care about bats?

Play important role in many habitats around the world, indicator of biodiversity
Suffered population decline from white-nose syndrome and habitat loss
Learning about bat species present at Jug Bay can help determine efforts to protect vital habitat and opportunities for conservation

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2023 Citizen Science Summit

Thank you!

2023 Citizen Science Summit

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2023 Citizen Science Summit

Thank you!

2023 Citizen Science Summit