Summary of Bat Research in Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, MN 2016

Abstract

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.