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Nantucket, Massachusetts, could provide unique habitat for bats, but few data are available regarding bat populations on the island. We conducted passive acoustic surveys in 2015 and 2016 to inventory bat species and identify seasonal activity patterns. We detected at least 6 species of bats on Nantucket. Lasiurus cinereus (Hoary Bat) and Lasionycteris noctivagans (Silver-haired Bat) were detected as probable migrants, and Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), and Myotis species were also present in summer. We detected Perimyotis subflavus (Tricolored Bat) in fall and early winter, suggesting that the species may hibernate on the island. In 2016, we mist-netted and radio-tagged Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat), and documented individuals reproducing and hibernating on Nantucket. Given the persistence of this rare species on the island, we suggest that land-conservation organizations should consider maintenance of mature forest stands in their suite of planned management activities.

The arrival of white-nose syndrome (WNS) to North America in 2006, and the subsequent decline in populations of cave-hibernating bats have potential long-term implications for communities of forest-dwelling bats in affected regions. Severe declines in wintering populations of bats should lead to concomitant shifts in the composition and relative abundance of species during the staging, maternity, and swarming seasons in nearby forested habitats. We examined capture rates of bats collected in mist nets from 2009 to 2016 to evaluate summer patterns in abundance of species pre- and post-arrival of WNS to Mammoth Cave National Park, KY. The data demonstrated a significant change in overall relative abundances. Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Myotis) was the most commonly captured species pre-WNS but declined to 18.5% of its original abundance. Nycticeius humeralis (Evening Bat), uncommonly caught in mist nets pre-WNS, demonstrated the largest increase in capture success following arrival of WNS to the Park, followed by Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat) and Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat). These data suggest that losses of cave-hibernating bats to WNS may be leading to a restructuring of foraging bat assemblages in nearby forested habitats, with species less affected by WNS potentially exploiting niche space vacated by bats succumbing to infection with WNS.

Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), long considered a common species, is now experiencing population declines. Most studies of their roosting habits have reported that the species uses mature canopy trees. We radio-tracked 2 adult male Eastern Red Bats to their roost trees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in June of 2012. Both bats roosted in a different tree each day, but spent 3–5 days roosting in groups of nearby trees before making larger movements out of the study area. Characteristics of roost trees differed markedly between bats. One bat roosted in Castanea dentata (American Chestnut) and Quercus rubra (Red Oak) saplings in early-successional habitat; the other roosted in mature Quercus spp. (oaks) in closed-canopy forest. Most roost trees and nearby trees were shorter and smaller diameter than those reported in previous studies. Our results suggest Eastern Red Bats have relatively broad roosting habits that include use of both early- and late-successional habitat.

White-nose syndrome (WNS) and wind-turbine facilities on the Delmarva Peninsula are emerging threats to the peninsula's current bat fauna. However, until our study, there had been no assessment of bat populations or their habitats in that region. The purpose of our research was to fill this gap by using 28 road-based transects and 24 passive-monitoring sites to acoustically monitor bats across the peninsula. In total, we recorded 4432 bat-call sequences and documented the presence of at least 6 species: Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), Nycticeius humeralis (Evening Bat), L. cinereus (Hoary Bat), Perimyotis subflavus (Tri-colored Bat), 1 or more species in the genus Myotis, and potentially Lasionycteris noctivagans (Silver-haired Bat). Given the similarity in call structure between Silver-haired and Big Brown Bats, we cannot say with certainty the former were present. Eastern Red Bats, Evening Bats, and Hoary Bats were relatively widespread and abundant; Tri-c...

Few North American studies have quantified differences in bat community composition between summer and winter. In southerly regions, especially the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico, winters are mild and experience only short periods of freezing weather annually. In regions such as this, there may be a substantive community of bats that are active in the winter. We examined seasonality of the bat community in the Kisatchie National Forest of Louisiana. We mist-netted bats for 130 nights during winter and 51 nights during summer and caught 200 and 190 bats, respectively, from 10 different species. Corynorhinus rafinesquii (Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat), Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), and Lasionycteris noctivagans (Silver-haired Bat) were more frequently captured in winter, all other species were captured more frequently in summer. Significant differences existed between summer and winter in species richness and abundance of bats, but not for Shannon's diversity index. Across the entire year and in winter, more bats were caught on nights with higher temperature than on nights with lower temperatures. Although there was much temporal variation in species composition, we found a substantial bat community that is active in the winter in the Kisatchie National Forest of Louisiana.

Global wildlife populations are in decline, in part, due to habitat loss resulting from urbanization. Urban green roofs may mitigate such habitat loss by providing supplemental habitat for wildlife, including bats, which are more active over urban green roofs than nearby traditional roofs. To better understand bat activity over urban green roofs, we surveyed bats and arthropods on a 27,316-m2 green roof planted with Sedum spp. in New York City from June to August 2017. We found that Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), a species with a diet consisting mainly of moths, accounted for 88% of identified bat calls. We collected over 15,000 arthropods of 16 taxa and found that moth abundance, while a relatively small proportion of green roof arthropods, correlated positively with bat activity. Our findings suggest that urban green roofs provide useable habitat for moths and other arthropods and, consequently, bats may forage on green roofs when prey are available.

Since 2004, my students and I have caught and examined 1441 individual bats representing 7 species from mist-net surveys in Grant County, WI. Across all years and sites, Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown Bat) was the most frequently captured bat (59.6% of all captures). We captured over 78% (n = 1106) of bats within the first 120 min after sunset. Based on the capture of lactating females, the following species raise young in southwest Wisconsin: Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), Perimyotis subflavus (Tri-colored Bat), Little Brown Bat, M. septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat), Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), and L. cinereus (Hoary Bat). Secondary sexual dimorphism was most evident in Big Brown Bats and Eastern Red Bats. Trends at 1 primary research site for the 3 most commonly captured species showed that, from 2007 to 2017, there was no significant change in number of bats captured per mist-net-meter-hour for Big Brown Bats and Eastern Red Bats. In contrast, and coincident with the occurrence of white-nose syndrome in Wisconsin, there was a signicant decline in the number of Little Brown Bats captured per mist-net-meter-hour over that same time period. Monitoring of bat populations in southwest Wisconsin should continue.

Insectivorous bats are an integral part of ecosystems because they consume significant quantities of nocturnal insects. White-nose syndrome is decimating populations of susceptible bat species in North America; thus, inventorying and monitoring bats are critical first steps in managing these important populations. We inventoried bat species at Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (BOHA), MA, from 2010 to 2011. Using a combination of capture and acoustic methods, we documented 6 bat species, including Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), Lasiurus cinereus (Hoary Bat), Lasionycteris noctivagans (Silver-haired Bat), Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown Bat), and Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat). Bats occurred at all inventoried islands, although most activity of Northern Long-eared Bat, a species Federally listed as threatened, was documented at a mainland site in Worlds End, near Ice Pond. Although the full extent of bat use on the islands remains unclear, we provide evidence of bats roosting and foraging on the islands. During long-term acoustic monitoring at Thompson and Lovells Islands, we assessed the effects of weather and season on bat activity; the latter analysis provided evidence of bats migrating through the area in spring and autumn.

In southern Ontario, Canada, the range and distribution of bats is well known, but their activity in the northeastern part of the province (north of 47°N, east of 85°W) is poorly documented. Using acoustic sampling, we documented the occurrence of six species of bats in the boreal forest of northeastern Ontario: Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), L. cinereus (Hoary Bat), Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown Bat), M. septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat), and Lasionycteris noctivagans (Silver-haired Bat). Hoary Bats were recorded more frequently than all other species. Little Brown Bats were second-most frequently recorded, and the remaining four species were encountered (mean number passes/hour) significantly less often. Our records are the most northerly for Big Brown Bats in this part of Ontario. Although the other species were expected in this area, this is the first study to identify and confirm the bats present in the boreal forest of northeastern Ontario. T...

On the basis of published records, 16 bat species occur in Georgia. Of these, only one species is documented from Baldwin County in central Georgia, but records from surrounding counties suggest the likelihood of additional species inhabiting the county. On the basis of museum specimens in the mammal collection of Georgia College and State University, we report seven species of bats inhabiting the county: Perimyotis subflavus (Eastern Pipistrelle), Nycticeius humeralis (Evening Bat), Lasiurus borealis (Red Bat), Lasiurus seminolus (Seminole Bat), Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), Myotis austroriparius (Southeastern Myotis), and Tadarida brasiliensis (Brazilian Free-tailed Bat). With the exception of the Brazilian Free-tailed Bat, the specimens represent first records from Baldwin County. Moreover, the records significantly add to the general baseline information of species richness and distribution of bats in central Georgia, and they help fill distribution gaps in this part of the southeastern U...

Published data that describe the distribution and reproductive patterns of bats in New Hampshire are sparse. We examined the distribution and reproductive phenology of bats within Pisgah State Park (the largest state park in New Hampshire) located in the southwestern region of the state. A total of 159 bats was captured during 31 net nights at 29 net sites during the summers of 2004 and 2005. In order of decreasing abundance, the most common species were Myotis lucifugus (little brown myotis), Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat), and M. septentrionalis (northern myotis). Additionally, a single Lasiurus borealis (eastern red bat) was captured. Approximately equal numbers of adult male and female little brown myotis and northern myotis were observed, while sex ratios of big brown bats were female biased. Pregnant females of each species were observed between mid-May and early June, and parturition occurred during mid- to late June. Captures of juvenile little brown myotis indicate that weaning begins ...

Seven bat species have been recorded in Nova Scotia, but little information is available on their relative abundance, ecology, and migratory patterns. In the summer of 2001 we used echolocation and trapping surveys at Kejimkujik National Park, Brier Island and Bon Portage Island to help fill this information gap. Our results suggest that significant populations of Myotis septentrionalis, M. lucifugus and Pipistrellus subflavus occur in the province. Although we note the first breeding record of the red bat (Lasiurus borealis) in Atlantic Canada, survey results suggest this species is probably rare and that previous records were probably extralimital. Fewer than five echolocation sequences were attributable to each of hoary bat (L. cinereus) and silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) suggesting that Nova Scotia is at, or beyond, the northern fringe of the range of these species. We recorded three or fewer echolocation sequences of the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), however, further work ...

Information on bat diversity, reproduction, and sex ratios in the southeastern United States is limited, particulary in managed pine (Pinus spp.) forests. Such information is needed if regional forest managers are to consider bats within their overall management plans. Therefore, I mist-netted over water to document bat species richness, diversity, reproduction, and sex ratios in landscapes of managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forests of eastern Mississippi from late April to early September, 1998–2000. In 53 survey nights, I captured 284 bats of six species [eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis), evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), Seminole bat (L. seminolus), eastern pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus), hoary bat (L. cinereus), and southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius)]. Simpson's diversity index was 0.36 for all years combined. Managed pine forest landscapes in this study appeared to provide suitable habitat for bats. Overall, 84% of captured female bats displayed reproductive activity,...

We used mistnets to survey bats at 41 sites throughout the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois during the summers of 1999 and 2000. Unlike most previous studies, we placed nets in the interior of forest stands as well as the more typical placement along edge habitats associated with water. We captured 417 individual bats representing 10 species. Of these, 168 individuals (40.3%) and 8 species were collected in interior forest. Northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) were caught significantly more often in interior forest, whereas red bats (Lasiurus borealis), eastern pipistrelles (Pipistrellus subflavus), and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) were netted more often in edge habitats. In contiguous forest, especially within the geographic range of M. septentrionalis, a more accurate measure of bat diversity and relative abundance is obtained by placing nets in interior forest as well as edge habitats.

In August 2012, a Lasiurus cinereus (Hoary Bat) and 2 Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat) were netted near Donkin, Cape Breton Island, NS, Canada. Acoustic studies showed the presence of Hoary Bats on at least 3 nights and Eastern Red Bats on at least 16 nights, over a 32-night-long survey starting on 21 August 2012. These records are the first for both species on Cape Breton Island, and significantly extend the known distribution of Eastern Red Bats.