Author: Scott Myers
Author Affiliation: LCWC
Journal: Unpublished Report
ABSTRACT: Echolocation signals were recently recorded in the Birge Nature Preserve to monitor local bat activity using a Wildlife Acoustics detection meter. Eight of nine bat species native to Michigan were identified using Kaleidoscope software to interpret recorded signals. The Silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) signals were recorded most frequently, followed by Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis). The number of signals recorded for a given species does not accurately reflect a specific number of individuals, but signal numbers can be interpreted to indicate the relative population density among species. Data generated during this project will be incorporated in the Les Cheneaux Watershed Council (LCWC) database that is being developed in an attempt to obtain a more accurate assessment of Les Cheneaux bat population densities.