Written by Stephanie Steves Warren, DRBIPA Treasurer & Park Ambassador
August 30, 2024
As a member of the Derby Reach Brae Island Parks Association (DRBIPA), you enjoy exclusive benefits, such as guided walks led by passionate and knowledgeable individuals like John Saremba from the Burke Mountain Naturalists. On July 12, just about 15 minutes after sunset, DRBIPA members braved being kibble for mosquitos, to catch some beautiful evening common nighthawk, mountain, and bat views.
Armed with bat-friendly red lights, "Bat Packs" for bat tracking, both natural and chemical bug repellents, bear spray, and a healthy curiosity about bats, members embarked on a 10-minute walk from the Heritage Area parking lot on Allard Crescent to the Heritage Viewing Platform. While safety in numbers may have protected against larger wildlife, the relentless mosquitos served as a reminder to never underestimate the little guys.
Who better to help rescue us than several species of bats? About 70% of bats are insectivores, feasting on over 200 different types of insects, both crawling and flying. With the help of the Bat Pack, we were able to detect and identify the species visiting us and lending a wing. Since most echolocation sounds occur at frequencies beyond human hearing, the Bat Pack not only identifies the species but also lowers the frequency to an audible range, giving us a glimpse of what each species sounds like. Interestingly, the lower the frequency, the larger the bat. You can rent a Bat Pack from many local libraries, often for a few weeks, making it a fun and educational tool to take on your next family fishing trip.
A common misconception is that bats rely solely on echolocation to "see" their surroundings. In reality, bats can also see with their eyes! Although many species are light-sensitive and "light shy," they have adapted to low light and darkness to avoid predators like sparrowhawks. While bats may look like little mice with wings, they have highly acute sensory receptors that help them detect distance and spatial parameters. If you're afraid of a bat flying into your hair, just stay still, and it will avoid you. Bats are more likely helping you by catching a tasty bug nearby! However, if you move quickly, the bat may not have enough time to react, increasing the chance of an accidental encounter.
Bats spend about 45 minutes foraging after sunset, a prime time for bugs to emerge as the sun’s rays fade. Of the 5,000 species of mammals on Earth, bats make up approximately 1,400 of them! About 30% of bats are pollinators, and thanks to them, we have around 200 different fruits. British Columbia (BC) is fortunate to host 16 of the 19 bat species found in Canada. While three of these species migrate to warmer climates for the winter, most hibernate here. About five species live in bat boxes, while the rest can be found in forests, crevices, caves, and rocky areas. BC bats have impressive lifespans, living anywhere from 10 to 30 years, with the oldest known bat in Canada reaching 33 years. Bats mate in the fall, delay gestation until spring when they are well-fed, and then give birth to one or two babies at a time. The mothers carry their young until they learn to fly. Many BC bats are no bigger than your thumb and can fit hundreds to thousands in bat boxes, roosting high in nests. Only one species can take off from the ground; most need to drop and swoop into flight.
Bats contribute to the environment in many ways beyond controlling insect populations. Bat guano is an excellent fertilizer, rich in nitrogen, and can be directly applied to the soil without dilution. It benefits fruits, berries, roses, and other plants. Many BC wineries not only raise bees but also host bat houses or import guano from other regions.
It’s important to dispel common fears about these helpful mammals. Less than 1% of bats carry diseases like rabies. In fact, dogs and raccoons pose a higher risk. However, in the rare event that you need to handle a bat, always wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves, to protect both yourself and the bat.
The Derby Reach Brae Island Parks Association (DRBIPA) would like to thank John Saremba for his dedication to bat research, years of bat counts, and the creation of bat boxes, which have provided safe spaces and enhanced our understanding of one of Earth’s most misunderstood creatures. For more information on bats or the Burke Mountain Naturalists, please see links:
How to Become involved in Counting Bats – https://bcbats.ca/get-involved/counting-bats/
Bat Basics – https://bcbats.ca/bat-basics/
Bat Species in British Columbia – https://bcbats.ca/bat-basics/bat-species-in-bc/
Changing perspective regarding bat boxes:
The Goldilocks Approach: Use of Bat Boxes in a changing landscape and climate (2020) 15 minute overview presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRhMfaOzRvM
25 Incredible Facts About Bats You Probably Didn’t Know
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