The Annual Bat Count
Volunteers counting bats at an occupied house roost. The counts are simple and fun: arrive at sunset and tally bats as they emerge from the roost!
With other Community Bat Programs across BC, HAT helps coordinate the Annual Bat Count, a community science program that monitors bat populations at roost sites each year. Abandoned houses, barns, church steeples – and even currently-occupied structures – can provide a summer home to female bats and their young. Monitoring these maternity colonies can give biologists a good idea of how bat populations in an area are doing from year to year. With the occurrence of White-nose Syndrome in British Columbia, monitoring these colonies is more important than ever.
The Bat Count includes four counts during the summer - two between June 1 and 21 (before pups can fly) and two more between July 21 and August 15 (when pups are flying and exiting the roost with their mothers). Doing all four bat counts allows us to best compare data from year to year and between sites. However, if you don't have time you can choose your level of participation.
The counts are simple, fun, and a great way to connect with local wildlife. If you are interested in getting involved, email bat@hat.bc.ca.
If you have a roost on your property, we encourage you to count your bats! Learn more about the bat count here.