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Browsing by Author "Swingen, Morgan"

Now showing 1 - 19 of 19
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    Acoustic Bat Research at Lake Vermilion – Soudan Underground Mine State Park in 2018
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2018-12) Moen, Ronald; Swingen, Morgan
    The Soudan Mine at Lake Vermilion – Soudan Underground Mine State Park (LVSUMSP) is the largest known bat hibernacula in Minnesota. In 2012, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) was detected in Soudan Underground Mine, and the first bats at this hibernaculum with WNS symptoms were observed during the winter of 2015–2016. The appearance of WNS, observations of dead and dying bats by park staff, and no northern long-eared bats being observed in 2017 winter surveys was cause for concern. In this report we summarize bat call data collected at the Alaska shaft and the No. 8 mine shaft at the Soudan Mine in the spring and fall of 2018. We also include a subset of the bat call data collected in 2017 in this report, as well as data from the 2004 acoustic detector work (Nordquist et al. 2006). A consistent pattern over the past two years of acoustic detection at the LVSUMSP is that the little brown bat is by far the most common species present at the mine shafts. The second most common species is the northern long-eared bat. Little brown bats had begun emerging from the mine shafts in mid-April when we first deployed detectors. There was a linear trend in increasing numbers of bat call files recorded / night until the end of May when detectors were removed. There were more little brown bats recorded / night at the No. 8 shaft in 2004, while currently there are more bat call files recorded / night at the Alaska shaft. In the fall the number of little brown bats recorded remained constant at about 5,000 calls / night at the Alaska shaft until mid-October. As in the spring, there were fewer bat calls / night, in contrast, at the No. 8 shaft. Calls of other bat species are identified in relatively low numbers, less than 1% of the total number of calls except for the hoary bat. The timing of spring emergence and fall swarming was similar in 2004, 2017, and 2018, but there seemed to be more bat call files recorded in 2004. The biological reason is that WNS is causing mortality of some bats. There could also be some differences caused by changes in acoustic detectors and call analysis programs. We required consensus agreement of two different programs, which was a conservative method and resulted in only 20% of the bat calls being identified to species. However, species composition was consistent with expectations and was also consistent with results of other acoustic detection and mist-netting projects in northern Minnesota.
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    Bat Acoustic Surveys in Minnesota 2015 - 2017
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2018-12) Moen, Ronald; Swingen, Morgan; Walker, Marcus; Baker, Richard; Nordquist, Gerda; Catton, Timothy; Kirschbaum, Kari; Dirks, Brian; Dietz, Nancy
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    Bat Radiotelemetry in Forested Areas of Minnesota 2015-2017
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2018-12) Swingen, Morgan; Moen, Ronald; Walker, Marcus; Baker, Richard; Nordquist, Gerda; Catton, Timothy; Kirschbaum, Kari; Dirks, Brian; Dietz, Nancy
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    Historical Northern Long-Eared Bat Occurrence in Minnesota Based on Acoustic Surveys
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2018) Moen, Ronald; Swingen, Morgan
    Although long thought to exist throughout the forested region of Minnesota, occurrence records for northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) were historically based on winter hibernacula records and sporadic summer observations. The ability to record and identify bats by their echolocation calls allowed scientists to more systematically survey for bats in Minnesota beginning in the 2000s; however, these data were not compiled in a central database. With the arrival of whitenose syndrome in Minnesota and the federal listing of the northern long-eared bat in 2015 as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the need for a more detailed and current distribution map for this species was evident. In this report, we summarize the occurrence records for northern long-eared bats based on specimens collected, existing acoustic survey data from various sources collected prior to 2015, and acoustic survey data collected from 2015 to 2017. Northern long-eared bats do appear to be distributed throughout the forested region of Minnesota. Presence has been documented in the northern half of the state, surrounding the Twin Cities metropolitan area, and in the southeast corner of the state. Detection of the northern long-eared bat in almost every attempt suggests that the species is also present in unsurveyed regions of the forested regions of the state, although it is less common than the little brown bat (M. lucifugus), especially after white-nose syndrome has led to mortalities in Minnesota.
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    Historical Northern Long-Eared Bat Occurrence in Minnesota Based on Acoustic Surveys
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2018) Moen, Ronald; Swingen, Morgan
    Although long thought to exist throughout the forested region of Minnesota, occurrence records for northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) were historically based on winter hibernacula records and sporadic summer observations. The ability to record and identify bats by their echolocation calls allowed scientists to more systematically survey for bats in Minnesota beginning in the 2000s; however, these data were not compiled in a central database. With the arrival of whitenose syndrome in Minnesota and the federal listing of the northern long-eared bat in 2015 as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the need for a more detailed and current distribution map for this species was evident. In this report, we summarize the occurrence records for northern long-eared bats based on specimens collected, existing acoustic survey data from various sources collected prior to 2015, and acoustic survey data collected from 2015 to 2017. Northern long-eared bats do appear to be distributed throughout the forested region of Minnesota. Presence has been documented in the northern half of the state, surrounding the Twin Cities metropolitan area, and in the southeast corner of the state. Detection of the northern long-eared bat in almost every attempt suggests that the species is also present in unsurveyed regions of the forested regions of the state, although it is less common than the little brown bat (M. lucifugus), especially after white-nose syndrome has led to mortalities in Minnesota.
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    Northern Long-Eared Bat Roost Tree Characteristics 2015-2017
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2018-12) Swingen, Morgan; Moen, Ronald; Walker, Marcus; Baker, Richard; Nordquist, Gerda; Catton, Timothy; Kirschbaum, Kari; Dirks, Brian; Dietz, Nancy
    Female northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) give birth to a single young, which is raised in a maternity roosting colony in trees. Young are born and lactation occurs from mid-June through at least late July in Minnesota. Bat pups are unable to fly for 3-4 weeks after birth, so the adult females leave the young in the maternity roost while they forage. We tracked bats with VHF radiotransmitters to their roosts each day. At dusk, field crews conducted emergence surveys to count the number of bats emerging and find the roost entrance. In total we found 238 day roost locations of 83 female northern long-eared bats across the forested region of Minnesota. We returned to each roost tree to measure habitat characteristics. Female northern long-eared bats roosted in at least 27 different tree species. Almost all of the roost trees were in upland forests. In northern Minnesota, aspen (Populus tremuloides) was most commonly used as roosts. In central Minnesota, maple (Acer spp.) and aspen trees were most commonly used, and in southern Minnesota, oak trees (Quercus spp.) were most commonly used as roosts. About 90% of roost trees were deciduous species, and 10% of roost trees were coniferous species. Roost trees were more decayed and larger in diameter than available trees. Northern long-eared bats most often roosted in cavities and crevices of trees, although some roosted under loose bark or where branches had broken off. Four roosts were in unoccupied buildings. Each roost tree location buffer and random location was overlaid on NLCD, GAP, and LandFire cover type classifications to calculate percent of area in forest cover variables. Variables related to deciduous forest were characteristic of roost tree locations. The LandFire variable TreeDom was the best predictor variable for identifying potential maternity roost habitat at the landscape level. In the forested area of Minnesota, the 50th percentile of random locations had 55% tree cover on average, compared to 80% tree cover for the roost tree locations. The relationship held at smaller scales, which meant that we could create maps of habitat suitability for northern long-eared bat maternity roosts across the forested region of the state. Northern long-eared bats in southern Minnesota, with more development and agriculture, used roost tree locations in patches of forest. In northern Minnesota, roost trees were within forest stands instead of on the edges of forest stands, and roost trees tended to be located in areas with trees present in most of an 800 m foraging radius. We also tracked 13 little brown bats and 8 big brown bats to roosts in trees and buildings. The 13 little brown bats were tracked to 12 roost trees of at least five species, and five roosts in buildings. The eight big brown bats were tracked to 13 roost trees of at least seven species, and two roosts in buildings. All bats with transmitters that roosted in buildings were females that were either pregnant or lactating
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    Summary of 2016 Bat Research Conducted at Roseau River WMA
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Moen, Ronald; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the University of Minnesota – Natural Resources Research Institute mist-netted bats for four nights during July 2016 in Roseau River Wildlife Management Area as part of a statewide project on northern long-eared bat habitat use. We captured 6 bats of 3 species: hoary bat, eastern red bat, and little brown bat, but did not capture any northern long-eared bats. This was likely due to the lack of large blocks of contiguous forest at Roseau River WMA and in the surrounding landscape. Because no northern long-eared bats were captured, we did not do any further research at the WMA. This report details work done at Roseau River Wildlife Management Area as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bat habitat use. A report summarizing the results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of 2016 Northern Long-eared Bat Research in Minnesota
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Baker, Richard; Catton, Timothy; Kirschbaum, Kari; Nordquist, Gerda; Dirks, Brian; Moen, Ronald
    Crews from the USDA – Forest Service, University of Minnesota - Natural Resources Research Institute, Minnesota Army National Guard (MNARNG), and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources captured 646 bats throughout the forested region of Minnesota from June 6 – July 21, 2016. Bats of 8 species were captured during mist-netting surveys, including the first evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) confirmed in Minnesota. We captured 95 individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached transmitters to 45 adult females (39 reproductive, 6 non-reproductive or undetermined). These 45 bats were tracked to 111 unique roost trees of at least 20 species. Crews conducted emergence counts at roost trees and observed between 1-71 bats emerging. Roost trees varied in both DBH and height, as well as decay stage. The roosting patterns observed in 2016 were similar to those seen in 2015, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees.
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    Summary of Bat Research in Beaver Creek Valley State Park, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Spak, Christi; Nordquist, Gerda; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources captured eight bats in Beaver Creek Valley State Park on June 18th, 2016. Bats of four species were captured during mist-netting surveys. We captured four individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached transmitters to two pregnant adult females. These two bats were tracked to 7 unique roost trees of 6 species over 5 days. During emergence surveys we counted from 2 to 71 bats emerging from these roost trees. Roost trees varied in both DBH and height, as well as decay stage. The roosting patterns we observed at Beaver Creek Valley State Park were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done in Beaver Creek Valley State Park as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017
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    Summary of Bat Research in Camp Ripley Training Center and Arden Hills Army Training Site, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Dirks, Brian; Dietz, Nancy; Baker, Richard; Swingen, Morgan
    Crews from the Environmental Office at Camp Ripley Training Center (CRTC) captured 92 bats in CRTC from June 6th – 24th, and 99 bats at Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS) July 6th – 10th, 2016. Bats of seven species were captured during mist-netting surveys, including the first recorded capture of an evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) in the state of Minnesota. We attached transmitters to 3 pregnant northern long-eared bats at CRTC and 3 lactating little brown bats at AHATS. Three northern long-eared bat roost trees were identified at CRTC. The little brown bats captured at AHATS were tracked to two roosts, both in buildings. Roost trees at CRTC varied in height and decay stage. The roosting patterns observed at CRTC were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done at CRTC and AHATS as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of Bat Research in Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Moen, Ronald; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the University of Minnesota – Natural Resources Research Institute captured 18 bats in Cedar Creek Ecological Science Reserve from July 6th – July 8th, 2016. Bats of three species were captured during mist-netting surveys. We captured 10 individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached radio-transmitters to eight reproductive adult females. These eight bats were tracked to 27 unique roost trees of at least eight different species over eight days. During emergence counts we counted from 2 to 49 bats emerging from these roost trees. Roost trees varied in both DBH and height as well as decay stage. The roosting patterns we observed at Cedar Creek ESR were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of Bat Research in Cloquet Forestry Center, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Catton, Timothy; Kirschbaum, Kari; Moen, Ronald; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the United States Forest Service and University of Minnesota – Natural Research Institute captured 28 bats at Cloquet Forestry Center from June 6th – 10th, 2016. Bats of three species were captured during mist-netting surveys. We captured 10 individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached transmitters to 4 adult females. These four were tracked to 7 unique roost trees of 2 species and 1 Cloquet Forestry Center building. During emergence counts we counted from 1 to 23 bats emerging from the roost trees. We observed 64 bats emerging during an emergence count at the building. Roost trees varied in diameter and height, as well as decay stage. The roosting patterns observed at Cloquet Forestry Center were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done in Cloquet Forestry Center as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of Bat Research in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Swingen, Morgan; Spak, Christi; Nordquist, Gerda; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources captured 86 bats in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park from June 7th–10th, 2016. Bats of 4 species were captured during mist-netting surveys. We captured six individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached a transmitter to one pregnant female. This bat was tracked to 5 unique roost trees of 3 species. During emergence counts we counted from 1 to 16 bats emerging from these roost trees. Roost trees varied in both DBH and height, as well as decay stage. The roosting patterns we observed at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of Bat Research in Hill River/Savanna, and Solana State Forests, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Catton, Timothy; Kirschbaum, Kari; Moen, Ronald; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the USDA – Forest Service captured 53 bats in Hill River, Savanna, and Solana State Forests from June 13th–16th and July 11th–14th, 2016. Bats of 6 species were captured during mist-netting surveys. We captured 13 individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached transmitters to 3 pregnant females (two in Hill River State Forest, and one in Solana State Forest). These three bats were tracked to 6 unique roost trees of three species. During emergence counts we counted from 13 to 67 bats emerging from these roost trees. Roosts varied in both DBH and height as well as decay stage. The roosting patterns we observed at Hill River, Savanna, and Solana State Forests were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done in Hill River, Savanna, and Solana State Forests as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of Bat Research in Itasca State Park, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Moen, Ronald; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the University of Minnesota - Natural Resources Research Institute captured 27 bats in Itasca State Park from June 13th–17th, 2016. Bats of 6 species were captured or observed during mist-netting surveys. We captured six individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached transmitters to four adult females. These four bats were tracked to 14 unique roost trees of 6 species over 13 days. During emergence counts we counted from 1 to 26 bats emerging these roost trees. Roost trees varied in both DBH and height, as well as decay stage. The roosting patterns we observed at Itasca State Park were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done in Itasca State Park as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of Bat Research in St. Croix State Park, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Moen, Ronald; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the University of Minnesota - Natural Resources Research Institute captured 73 bats in St. Croix State Park from June 26th–30th, 2016. Bats of 5 species were captured during mist-netting surveys. We captured 13 individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached transmitters to six reproductive adult females. These six bats were tracked to 11 unique roost trees of at least 6 species. During emergence counts we counted from 1 to 27 bats emerging from these roost trees. Roost trees varied in both DBH and height, as well as decay stage. The roosting patterns observed at St. Croix State Park were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done in St. Croix State Park as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of Bat Research in the Chippewa National Forest, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Catton, Timothy; Kirschbaum, Kari; Moen, Ronald; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the USDA – Forest Service captured 55 bats in the Chippewa National Forest from June 20th– 24th, 2016. Bats of five species were captured during the mist net surveys. We captured four individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached a transmitter to the one pregnant female captured. The transmittered bat was tracked to three unique roost trees of three species. During emergence counts we counted from 2 to 13 bats emerging from these roost trees. The roosting patterns we observed at the Chippewa National Forest were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done in the Chippewa National Forest as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of Bat Research in the Superior National Forest, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Catton, Timothy; Kirschbaum, Kari; Moen, Ronald; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the USDA – Forest Service captured 43 bats in the Superior National Forest in June and July of 2016. Bats of five species were captured during mist-netting surveys. We captured 13 individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached transmitters to 7 adult females (3 nonreproductive, one pregnant, and three lactating). These seven bats were tracked to 13 unique roost trees of 3 species. During emergence counts we counted from 1 to 26 bats emerging from these roost trees. Roost trees varied in DBH and height as well as decay stage. Roosting patterns in the Superior National Forest were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of the state, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done in the Superior National Forest as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.
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    Summary of Bat Research in Whitewater State Park and WMA, MN 2016
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2016-12) Swingen, Morgan; Spak, Christi; Nordquist, Gerda; Baker, Richard
    Crews from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources captured 51 bats in Whitewater State Park and WMA from June 15th–18th, 2016. Bats of 2 species were captured during mist-netting surveys. We captured five individuals of our target species, the northern long-eared bat, and attached transmitters to four pregnant females. These four bats were tracked to 11 unique roost trees of 7 species. During emergence counts we counted from 1 to 28 bats emerging from these roost trees. Roost trees varied in both DBH and height, as well as decay stage. The roosting patterns we observed at Whitewater State Park and WMA were similar to roosting patterns we have observed in other areas of Minnesota, where bats appear to be using a variety of available trees. This report details work done in Whitewater State Park and WMA as part of a statewide study of northern long-eared bats. A report summarizing results of the statewide project will be available in early 2017.