Summary of Bat Research in Beaver Creek Valley State Park, MN 2016

Abstract

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