Habitat Acquisition Trust

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Let’s hang together

Last winter, two HAT volunteers, John Potter and Stefan Verwimp, were busy constructing a “bat condo” that will allow humans and bats to coexist! Stefan rents the top floor of a historic barn in North Saanich for his woodworking shop. In the summer of 2021, he realized that there was a maternity colony of Townsend’s big-eared bats roosting in the corner of the room. Instead of resting during the day, the bats were under stress from the light and noise of the workshop. He quickly erected a plastic shield in an attempt to mitigate the issue, but he knew that he wanted to find a permanent way to coexist with bats.

Photo credit: Elicia Bell

Stefan contacted HAT to see what could be done to try and mitigate the issue. The solution was to put in a separation between the workshop and the roost. In this particular case, the landowner graciously donated half of the wood needed, and the bat program was able to pull funds together to purchase the rest of the materials to build the wall to separate the workshop and shelter the bats from light and noise. This solution was ideal for everyone! We are delighted to report that the bats have happily returned to this roosting spot since the changes were made.


Townsend’s Big-Eared bats are at risk because their suitable habitat is often occupied by humans. In the summer months they form maternity colonies, roosting in buildings. These bats don’t hide in crevices like many bats do, making them vulnerable to disturbance by humans. Disturbance during roosting can greatly lower breeding success. With a reproductive rate of one young per year, lower rates in breeding success due to human disturbance can result in population declines that could lead to loss of local colonies.


Thanks to BC Conservation Foundation for providing the funding for this project.

References

Townsend’s Big-eared Bat

BC Bats