Beds on 1he Island ' 
     
    
   
   
    
     BY JENNIFER BROWN . 
     
    
   
   
    
     Bats are one of the most maligned of animals orders, but they have 
     
     recently begun to gain in popularity. In Europe, several species have 
     
     undergone population declines, largely due to destruction of foraging 
     
     and hibernation habitat. Now, through public education and legal protec— 
     
     tion, awareness and appreciation of these unique winged mammals is on 
     
     the rise. 
     
    

    
     In P.E.I. only one species of bat has been recorded, the little . 
     
     brown bat, Myotis lucifugus. Little brown bats are the most common and 
     
     far—ranging bat species in North America, with confirmed sightings as far 
     
     north as central Alaska. These bats are ubiquitous in P.E.I. and their 
     
     presence is made obvious by their use of outbuildings and houses for ma— 
     
     ternity colonies, and by the large numbers of bats seen over rivers and 
     
     ponds in summer. 
     
    

    
     In 1958, Austin Cameron conducted a survey of Island mammals. He 
     
     confirmed the presence of the little brown bat and reported a possible 
     
     sighting of a red bat (Lasiurus borealis), however there have been no con- 
     
     firmed sightings of this species. The red bat and several other species 
     
     such as the silver—haired and the hoary 
     
     bat may possibly occur in P.E.I., but 
     
     because of their habits, these bats are 
     
     much harder to find. They are more soli— 
     
     tary and secretive than little brown 
     
     bats, foraging and roosting singly or with 
     
     immediate family. 
     
    

    
     During the summer of 1984, while 
     
     studying biology at U.P.E.I., I conduct— 
     
     ed a research project on Island bats. 
     
     Using a broad band microphone and oscillo- 
     
     scope I was able to monitor bat echolo- 
     
     cation calls and determine the species of 
     
     bats present in an area. A mist net was used to capture bats for observation 
     
     of their sex and reproductive state, and several bats were kept and prepar— 
     
     ed as specimens. 
     
    

    
     Results of this study give us insight into the foraging habits, dis— 
     
     tribution and reproductive biology of little brown bats in P.E.I. These bats 
     
     are insectivores and feed largely on those notorious insect pests, the mos— 
     
     quito and black fly. Anyone lucky enough to have bats in their home or out— 
     
     buildings will benefit by having reduced numbers of these insects. 
     
    

    
     Many questions about Island bats remain unanswered. For example, where 
     
     do they hibernate? It is believed that P.E.I. brown bats migrate to caves 
     
     in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick each fall to hibernate. These bats are not 
     
     known to hibernate in trees or buildings, and there are no natural caves in 
     
     P.E.I., so this migration is a necessary part of their yearly cycle. the 
     
     exact hibernacula (caves) used by Island bats are still unknown. During my 
     
     study, 30 bats were banded and released in hopes that some would be discov— 
     
     ered in mainland caves, however, none have been reported to date. 
     
    

    
     Because of the little brown bats' migratory habits, some people have 
     
     suggested that these bats may eventually transmit the rabies virus to P.E.I. 
     
     This is not a likely possibility, because in areas where both little brown 
     
     bats and rabies occur, the bats have not been indicated as a vector for t? 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     virus. It is more probable that the virus could be brought by coyotes or 
     
     family cat or dog. 
     
    
   
   
    
     After one summer of working with bats, I have become quite enamored 
     
    
   
   
    
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