Bat Study at Supawna Meadows

The recent outbreak of White Nose Syndrome has caused a steep decline in the population of all species of bats in the Northeast. This sudden threat to the bat population has caused the Friends of Supawna Meadows NWR to join forces with US Fish and Wildlife in studies to identify sources and controls of the disease. An old barn on the Refuge has been the summer home of a fairly large, and apparently healthy, colony of maternity bats for several years. The Friends of Supawna Meadows received approval from USFWS to stabilize the barn to preserve this vital bat habitat.

The barn had extensive work done that included repairing and even replacing large supporting posts. Some of these posts had hidden rot which would have collapsed the barn by now if not repaired. The weak ones were braced and the rotted ones were patched with steel beams.

The bats returned in March 2009 to a safe barn where several important biological studies took place. In June, a bat count revealed about 1200 bats living in the barn. These bats are assumed to be mainly mature females who use this barn as a maternity habitat. Bat guano was collected twice to be analyzed to determine species. In midsummer, plans began for extensive research of this colony and to establish baseline data. Volunteers and members of the Friends sewed 200 bat collection bags. Others donated equipment and manpower to seal the barn so the bats could be efficiently and safely trapped.

A very impressive collection of biologists from the New Jersey DEP, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Dept of Agriculture, two universities and several bat conservation groups trapped over 400 bats. These experts determined the species, gender and age of each bat. Two hundred of them were further studied to determine size, weight and to look for symptoms of the deadly White Nose Syndrome disease. It was determined that this colony is very healthy. Hopefully, studies to learn more about this disease and its control will continue at Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

A bat count conducted the last week of July determined the colony had grown to about 3000 bats. It is expected that this number includes juveniles that were born here in the spring and the gathering of other smaller colonies.

We are now taking bids to start the next phase of stabilizing the barn. Anti-sway cables will be installed inside the barn to off-set strong wind and the stress of winter weather. Next spring, we hope to finish the final phase by replacing many missing side boards and repairing the tin roof.

The research at this site could be critical to the future of the entire bat population nation wide. Scientists are reporting probable extinction of all species across the nation unless extreme and immediate action is taken to save them. Connecticut has lost 90% of its bat population as of last winter. We are excited to be able to play a role in the struggle to save this important animal.

For additional information on bats and White Nose Syndrome, visit the Bat Conservation & Management site at http://www.batmanagement.com/ and click on the Special Information Page for White Nose Syndrome. Another worthy site is http://www.batworld.org/
Volunteers are welcome to join us in this great project.