Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) is seeking volunteers for its annual bat count this month that will shed light on population numbers on Vancouver Island.
As part of the count, which begins on June 1, residents of all ages are encouraged to wait outside a known roost site, such as a bat-house, barn, bridge or attic and count bats as they fly out at twilight.
Residents then record the final number along with basic information on weather conditions. The count will be used to collect baseline data on bat populations on Vancouver Island, and before the White Nose Syndrome fungal disease, which is estimated to have killed more than seven million bats since it was discovered a decade ago, affects bats in the province.
B次元官网网址淚n March 2016, the disease was detected just east of Seattle, and has now spread within Washington State. This has greatly increased our urgency to understand bat populations in B.C.,B次元官网网址� HAT conservation specialist Paige Erickson-McGee said.
B次元官网网址淲e know relatively little about bats on Vancouver Island, including basic information on population numbers. This information will be extremely valuable, particularly if it is collected annually B次元官网网址� No special skills are needed, you can be any age, and you can relax in a deck chair while counting.B次元官网网址�
To get involved in the count call the HAT office at 250-995-2428 or visit .
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