Winter 2016/2017

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Name:______Address:______Bats Northwest Mailing Address: ______NorthwestNorthwestBNW is a non-profit, all volunteer conservation organization winter 2016/17 P.O. Box 3026 Lynnwood, WA 98046 Phone:______Deadly Bat Fungus in Washington State Likely Originated in 206.256.0406 Email:______Eastern U.S. Bats Northwest web site: www.batsnorthwest.org NEWS RELEASE WDFW lowing this discovery, the USGS NWHC pro- BATS NW T-SHIRTS Release Date: August 3, 2016 vided DNA from the fungus on the bat’s skin The bat-killing fungus recently detected for to a laboratory at the Forest Service’s Northern You’ll look great in our Bats Northwest short sleeve T-Shirt! the first time in western North America is ge- Research Station (NRS) for genetic analysis. It also makes a wonderful gift. netically similar to strains found in the eastern “The severity and potential ecosystem-level Heavyweight cotton, natural off-white, with a brightly colored bat graphic. United States and did not likely originate in effects of WNS in North America make it one of Eurasia, according to a study published today the most serious wildlife diseases ever recorded,” in the journal mSphere. said Daniel Lindner, a research plant pathologist I would like to order ____ (quantity) Bats Northwest T-Shirt(s) at $22.00 each for a total of $ ______(amount). The findings have implications for resource with the Forest Service’s NRS and a co-author Small__ Medium__ Large__ X-Large__ 2X__ managers battling the spread of the devastating on the study. “We have made a lot of progress in disease white- understanding WNS and in monitoring its spread, nose syndrome but more work is needed to determine how dis- (WNS) in ease impacts will vary among bat populations in North Ameri- eastern and western North America.” can bats. Scientists at the Forest Service’s NRS se- Results of quenced DNA from multiple strains of Pd, the U.S. Geo- including the fungus cultured from the Wash- Bats Northwest web logical Survey ington bat, to determine that it most closely and USDA matched fungal strains from eastern North site is waiting for Forest Service America. you at: study provide White-nose syndrome was first documented clues about the in New York state in 2006 and has rapidly www.batsnorthwest. origin of this spread westward in North America to neigh- A hibernating little brown bat with a white muzzle typical of white-nose org syndrome. (Greg Turner, Pennsylvania Game Commission, public domain) strain of the boring states and into Canada. The disease has Pseudogymnoascus destructans fungus, or Pd. killed millions of beneficial, insect-eating bats This fungus causes WNS and was recently found and threatens several formerly abundant bat on a bat near North Bend, Washington, about species with extinction. 1,300 miles from the previous westernmost detec- Based on the current understanding of Pd Join our monthly tion in Nebraska. Because Pd is also present in distribution in North America, scientists cannot BNW Meetings! Eurasia and North Bend is located near an inter- determine if the fungus reached Washington national port, the scientists studied DNA from the from the east by bat movements or through hu- Washington fungus to determine if it had roots man activities. However, ongoing surveillance Second Tuesday, abroad. Continued on Page 7. 6:30-8:30 “Although it remains unclear how Pd reached Washington, this finding guides us Sand Point- to look to North America as the source,” said Jonathan Sleeman, director of the USGS Na- Magnuson Park tional Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), where Building 30 the Washington bat was confirmed Pd positive. “Now that Pd has been identified in the west- Conference Room

ern U.S., it’s critical to continue working with 206.256.0406 resource managers to help conserve imperiled

bat species, which are worth billions of dollars Lynnwood, WA 98046 WA Lynnwood, per year to North American agriculture and

forestry.”

P.O. Box 3026 Box P.O. In March 2016, a little brown bat found sick Bats Northwest Bats Bats showing signs of infections with Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. near North Bend tested positive for WNS. Fol- (Kim Miller, USGS, public domain) 2 7 Continued from Page 6. Bats Northwest Participates in Washington’s Response to the Classroom (Dianne Odegard, to White Nose Syndrome Education & Public Outreach Manager, Bat Conservation International), The by John E. Bassett, Ph.D. Slough is some 27 miles from Ollalie State Agricultural Importance of Bats (Dr. John Discovery of a white nose syndrome Park and approximately 1,200 feet lower in K. Westbrook, Research Meteorologist, (WNS)-infected bat of a subspecies native to elevation. Surveys at Mercer Slough were USDA-Agricultural Research Service), and Washington state at Ollalie State Park on I-90 conducted in June, July and August of both Batman, Bananas and Bugs (Rob Mies, east of North Bend, WA, in early March of 2015 and 2016. Executive Director, Organization for Bat 2016 initiated quick responses by both state The goal of bat acoustic surveying is to Conservation, Cranbrook Institute of and federal wildlife biologists. With this determine which species are present in Science). https://batconservation.org/ Bats Northwest discovery, WNS, the fungal disease of hiber- an area from the echolocation pulses they During the conference, one gets to see Envisions a Future nating bats that has killed millions of animals produce in the process of navigating the old friends, meet new batty friends, learn in the eastern half of the United States, had habitat in the dark. Acoustic surveying can Where the Essential Role more about bats, and in general reconnect just jumped 2,000 miles from its last known also provide a “first approximation” of how of Bats is Understood with the bat world as it pertains to bat Bats Northwest position in eastern Minnesota to Washing- common a species is in an area. In western research. In 2017, October 18-21, NASBR Where the Public Recognizes ton state. Currently, no explanation for this Washington, the nine species of bats com- 206.256.0406 #47, will be in Knoxville, TN and Puerto the Vital Place of Bats In Our unexpected event has been found. monly found can be distinguished from each Vallarta, MX will be the host city on www.batsnorthwest.org Environment and Economy With the announcement in late March of other by analyzing the ultrasound pulses October 24–27, 2018, for NASBR #48. the discovery of WNS in western Washing- they send out. A survey involves recording Where All are Inspired by the On the way to San Antonio, Meg ton, the Washington Department of Fish and echolocation pulses for a 3.5-hour period Remarkable Attributes and and Barb also visited Bat World – Wildlife (WDFW) initiated several survey following sunset as you either walk around Invaluable Contribution of Texas (https://batworld.org/). In facility with room for insect bats and fruit projects to determine how widespread WNS the habitat of interest with an operator-trig- Bats to Our Natural Heritage 2000 they attended bat boot camp with bats and a new bat cave. It was fun getting was in the state and how much damage, if gered ultrasound recording device or moni- Amanda Lollar to learn more about to interact with Mexican Free-tails and the any, the fungus had caused. One of these tor the air space over a location of interest rehabilitating bats. There is a newly built little fruit bats. projects involved Bats Northwest (BNW). with a self-triggering ultrasound recording In early April, less than two weeks after the device which will record automatically when Board of Directors announcement at the end of March, BNW it senses ultrasound. The recorded bat calls Chris Anderson conducted an initial acoustic monitoring are then analyzed with call analysis software, John Bassett survey of the bats at the Stillwater Wildlife and the results are summarized later as the Meg Lunnum Management Unit (Stillwater) in the lower researcher’s schedule allows. Continued from Page 1. Contacts efforts coordinated through the multiagency Department of the Interior, Michelle Noe Snoqualmie Valley north of Carnation, WA. The Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus), WNS response effort continues to provide U.S. Geological Survey Barb Ogaard Stillwater is located 21 miles from Ollalie one of the bats which has proven most sensi- insights on the spread of WNS, the impacts of Office of Communications and Publishing State Park and is approximately 1,200 feet tive to WNS in the eastern U.S., is also found this disease on bat populations and the potential 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive lower in elevation than Ollalie. The Stillwa- in Washington state. Since this species is for population recovery. Reston, VA 20192 ter site is important because BNW had con- viewed as a “canary in the coal mine” when The national WNS response effort is United States coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Phone: 703-648-4460 Technical Advisors ducted summer acoustic monitoring surveys working with WNS, we employed the Little and involves federal, state and non-governmental of the area in 2012, 2013, and 2014 providing Brown Bat as an indicator of the effects of Curt Black organizations, including representatives from the Marisa Lubeck baseline information about the bat fauna the fungus locally. We also acquired data bat conservation and caving communities. Public Affairs Specialist Sarah Schmidt active in the area well prior to the appearance on the occurrence of the other eight insec- “These results confirm that Pd is capable of Central States of WNS in Washington. The Stillwater site tivorous bat species in the area as well. At movement far across North America. They do Email: [email protected] not, however, change the importance of taking Phone: 303-202-4765 Newsletter Editor was monitored acoustically for bats by BNW Stillwater, Little Brown Bats were heard precautions to reduce the risk of spread by Michelle Noe in 2016 until the end of September. both before (2014) and after (2016) WNS humans,” said Jeremy Coleman, National WNS Gail Moede Rogall In 2016, BNW also continued an acoustic arrival. In addition, they produced approxi- Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Email: [email protected] Service. “There’s much we don’t know about Phone: 608-270-2438 Web Master monitoring project begun in 2015 of the bats mately the same percentage of total bat calls at Mercer Slough Nature Park in Bellevue, heard each year indicating a comparable how Pd will affect populations of western Michelle Noe bats, so it is critical to limit spread as much Jane Hodgins WA. BNW had monitored Mercer Slough abundance over time. At Stillwater, seven of as possible until we can improve survival of Forest Service during the summer of 2015 which provided the remaining eight bat species were heard susceptible bats.” Email: [email protected] baseline data on the fauna in the park from in both 2014 and 2016. The exception to WNS is not known to pose a threat to Phone: 651-649-5281 before the arrival of WNS. Mercer Slough this pattern was Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat humans, pets, livestock or other wildlife. is located on the northwest corner of the (Corynorhinus townsendii) which was heard For more information about WNS, please visit the USGS National Wildlife Health Center junction of I-90 and I-405 and preserves a in 2016 but not in 2014. This species is and Forest Service’s Northern Research Station significant area of wetland and riparian habi- considered sensitive to disturbance, so its websites. 206.256.0406 Continued on Page 3. www.batsnorthwest.org tat within a major metropolitan area. Mercer 6 3

Bats Northwest Participates in Washington’s Response Continued from Page 2. Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus to White Nose Syndrome absence from an area for a single year is not townsendii), the lone species that was not particularly worrisome. heard at Mercer Slough, is less likely to be by Meg Lunnum founded and led Bat Conservation Inter- At Mercer Slough, Little Brown Bats were observed in urban areas such as Bellevue The 46th Annual Symposium of the national until 2009, then founded Merlin also heard both before (2015) and after the given its sensitivity to disturbance. North American Society for Bat Research Tuttle’s Bat Conservation in 2014. http:// arrival (2016) of WNS. In addition, they In conclusion, WNS does not yet appear was held on October 12-15, 2016 in www.merlintuttle.com Merlin started Bat Would you like to produced approximately the same percent- to have caused large numbers of deaths in hi- San Antonio, TX. Bats Northwest board Conservation International in Austin, TX age of total bat calls heard each year. Five bernating bat species in western Washington. lend a hand? members Barb Ogaard and Meg Lunnum and helped to make Austin a bat friendly additional species (Big Brown Bat – Eptesi- Little Brown Bat populations appear to have attended. Before the meeting started, town. Millions of visitors come from all Bats Northwest cus fuscus; Hoary Bat – Lasiurus cinereus; been stable over the last 3 summers at the there were two pre-conference events: a over the world to see the famous Congress Silver-Haired Bat – Lasionycteris noctiva- two monitoring locations examined. Since visit to Bracken Cave and a tour of Selah, Avenue Bridge with its 1.5 million bats. would love your gans; California Bat – Myotis californicus; WNS kills bats during winter hibernation, Bamberger Ranch. Dr. Tuttle’s main point was that maintaining Our Mission Long-Legged Bat – Myotis volans) were we will get another update on the status of help. Bracken Cave is home to the largest bat species and diversity is very important heard at Mercer Slough in 2015. These sensitive species such as the Little Brown Bat collection of mammals in the world. because so many things that pertain to Bats Northwest Would you like to same five species were also heard in 2016, during the spring of 2017 when the hibernat- Twenty-million bats, mostly Mexican humans depend on bats: pollination, Envisions a Future . . . and two additional species were added to ing species in Washington emerge from their reforestation, insect control, and medical build bat houses? the list of species observed. The Long-Eared winter dormancy. Once again, BNW will be Where the Essential Role discoveries and so many more. Bat (Myotis evotis) and the Yuma Bat (Myotis involved with local efforts to determine the of Bats is Understood Write newsletter During the week, there are many yumanensis ) were heard during 2016. Over effects of WNS in western Washington and Where the Public Recognizes presentations to choose from that cover articles? the two years of observations at Mercer the status of sensitive species by conducting any of the following topics: Behavioral the Vital Place of Bats Slough, eight of the nine species found acoustic monitoring studies. Coordinate other and Physiological Ecology, Habitat in western Washington were observed. In Our Environment volunteers? and Distribution, Echolocation, and and Economy Conservation Biology. Students Honors Where all are Inspired by Please contact us Sessions included: Hung Out to Dry? Arid Adaptation in Hibernating Big Brown the Remarkable Attributes to see how you can Bats or A Supralaryngeal Neuromuscular Latest White Nose Syndrome Spread Map and Invaluable Contribution help us help bats! Free Tail bats (Tadarida brasiliensis), live Apparatus for Sonar Beam Forming in the of Bats to Our Natural in Bracken Cave and feast twice daily on Free-Tailed Bat. Between Barb and me, Heritage crop pests on the surrounding agriculture we try to attend those presentations that areas. The cave is also a maternity colony. apply to us as bat rehabilitators and bat You can learn more about Bracken Cave at advocates in the Pacific Northwest. the following web site: http://www.batcon. org/our-work/regions/usa-canada/protect- mega-populations/bracken-cave Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve is a 5,500-acre ranch in Blanco County that has been restored to its original habitat. http://bambergerranch.org/our-story There are two federally endangered songbirds that make their home at Bam- berger, the Golden-cheeked warbler and the Black cedar thickets Capped Vireo http://bambergerranch.org/biodiversity One of the highlights of the meeting is The main reason for our trip to the the Teacher’s Workshop. Teachers from ranch was to see the man-made bat cave. the surrounding area are invited to learn The cave is currently home to over 360,000 about bats in order to take the information bats, again, mostly Tadarida. More back to the classroom. Dr. Tuttle was also information can be found here: http:// part of the teacher’s workshop: The Magi- www.merlintuttle.com/tag/selah-bamberg- cal World of Bats and Their Special Impor- er-ranch-preserve/ tance in Texas. Some of the other topics The conference started with the keynote included: Bringing Bat Conservation speech from Dr. Merlin Tuttle. Dr. Tuttle Continued on Page 7. 4 5 Bats in the library

by Devon Abejo Washington Bats What started as a book search for a Many bat sites on the Web second grader turned into a series of Need Your Help! provide worthy information programs and outreach to children and A devastating bat disease called White-Nose Syndrome is now in Washington and great photos from teens ages 3-18. When I was asked to Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service around the world. help someone find a book about bats Report Your Bat Sightings I had no idea what this would turn • If you fi nd sick/dead bats or a group of live How you can help into. Once he had a book about bats bats, report your observation to the Washington • Whenever possible, avoid entering areas Bats Northwest is the other kids in his class wanted to Department of Fish and Wildlife at wdfw.wa.gov/bats where bats may live to limit potential focused or (360) 902-2515. of spreading disease and disturbance of learn about bats. Suddenly there was a • Do not attempt to handle a live bat. If you fi nd roosting bats. on our regional bats, swarm of kids interested in bats. a sick or injured bat, report it to WDFW and visit • If you come into contact with crevices wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/rehabilitation but there is so much to As luck would have it I met a A large part of what we do in the in rock cliff s, talus areas, caves or mines, library involves outreach to people to fi nd a wildlife rehabilitation center near you. please clean your gear. If possible use learn about bat volunteer from Bats Northwest at a • Never handle a dead bat with your bare hands. If the decontamination guidelines at conservation worldwide. charity fund raiser and got information in our community and with such an you must touch a dead bat, wear durable gloves for www.whitenosesyndrome.org. emphasis placed on STEM learning protection. Keep up to date! You may enjoy visiting about the Edu-bat kit. With the kit 4 • Improve bat habitats. Reduce lighting What is White-Nose Syndrome? around your home, minimize tree clearing, librarians were able to offer 7programs it was wonderful to be able to bring Check out some of the sites listed on our a program to the patrons that deals • White-Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that has killed and protect streams and wetlands. For to children ranging in age from 3-18, millions of bats in eastern North America. more information on living with bats, and Resource Page at: with an animal that lives in their instructions for how to build a bat house, Bats Northwest’s both in the library and out in the • The disease has been confi rmed in 29 states and fi ve visit: wdfw.wa.gov/living/bats.html community. back yard. Canadian provinces since it was fi rst documented in Website. http://www.batsnorthwest.org/ The highlight of the programs New York in 2006. • In March 2016, the fi rst case of the disease was resources.html was having Michelle Noe come confi rmed in Washington. visit the library and speak about • White-Nose Syndrome does not pose a threat to her experience working with bats. humans, pets or other animals. Watch our This helped clear up some common How does White-Nose Syndrome aff ect bats? Events Page misconceptions about the bats that • The fungus can grow on the nose, wings and ears of an We inspire, excite, and activate students to conserve our bats are in our area. This was a wonderful infected bat during winter hibernation, giving it a white, for news on through inquiry-based learning! fuzzy appearance. After bats wake from hibernation, this experience in the library and I look *Free curriculum that offers hands on, fuzzy white appearance goes away. upcoming real world, and relevant learning across • Even though the fungus may not be visible, it invades disciplines. forward to bringing the programs Little brown bat found in western Washington in and damages deep skin tissues. Infected bats arouse presentations *Free interpretive materials that can be back next year to teach another group March 2016. The fungus damaged the bat’s wings used in the classroom or outdoors! more often during hibernation which causes them to making it unable to fl y. of kids about the wonderful world of use crucial fat reserves, leading to possible starvation and field trips. Photo: Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) bats. and death. *More than • Infected bats may also die from wing damage, inability 70 bat education to regulate body temperature, breathing disruptions, trunks available for free to educators around and dehydration. the country. *Free multi-media tools and resources available at: For more information please visit: wdfw.wa.gov/bats http://batslive.pwnet.org/edubat We are making science come alive... Help Bats Northwest Help Our Bats

Members of Bats Northwest are assisting the Washington Department of ...and building the next generation of Fish and Wildlife with acoustic survey work in King County on WDFW environmental stewards! lands. We are also assisting the City of Bellevue Parks Department in Learn more at: http://batslive.pwnet.org/edubat learning about their bats. If you would like to learn how you can assist as Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProjectEduBat Our Wonderful Partners: a citizen scientist, please email info@batsnorthwest.org with the subject USDA Forest Service • US Fish and Wildlife Service • Bat Conservation International • Organization for Bat Conservation • National Wildlife Federation • Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation • Prince William County Public Schools • Project Underground • The Save Lucy Foundation • US Geological Survey • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources “Acoustic survey volunteer”. At this time we are seeking adult volunteers • National Cave and Karst Research Institute • Missouri State Parks • Speleobooks who can commit to nighttime surveys and can transport themselves to sites reachable by car. Thank you for your support! 4 5 Bats in the library

Report: The 46th Annual Symposium of the North Continued from Page 2. Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus American Society for Bat Research absence from an area for a single year is not townsendii), the lone species that was not particularly worrisome. heard at Mercer Slough, is less likely to be by Meg Lunnum founded and led Bat Conservation Inter- At Mercer Slough, Little Brown Bats were observed in urban areas such as Bellevue The 46th Annual Symposium of the national until 2009, then founded Merlin also heard both before (2015) and after the given its sensitivity to disturbance. North American Society for Bat Research Tuttle’s Bat Conservation in 2014. http:// arrival (2016) of WNS. In addition, they In conclusion, WNS does not yet appear was held on October 12-15, 2016 in www.merlintuttle.com Merlin started Bat Would you like to produced approximately the same percent- to have caused large numbers of deaths in hi- San Antonio, TX. Bats Northwest board Conservation International in Austin, TX age of total bat calls heard each year. Five bernating bat species in western Washington. lend a hand? members Barb Ogaard and Meg Lunnum and helped to make Austin a bat friendly additional species (Big Brown Bat – Eptesi- Little Brown Bat populations appear to have attended. Before the meeting started, town. Millions of visitors come from all Bats Northwest cus fuscus; Hoary Bat – Lasiurus cinereus; been stable over the last 3 summers at the there were two pre-conference events: a over the world to see the famous Congress Silver-Haired Bat – Lasionycteris noctiva- two monitoring locations examined. Since visit to Bracken Cave and a tour of Selah, Avenue Bridge with its 1.5 million bats. would love your gans; California Bat – Myotis californicus; WNS kills bats during winter hibernation, Bamberger Ranch. Dr. Tuttle’s main point was that maintaining Our Mission Long-Legged Bat – Myotis volans) were we will get another update on the status of help. Bracken Cave is home to the largest bat species and diversity is very important heard at Mercer Slough in 2015. These sensitive species such as the Little Brown Bat collection of mammals in the world. because so many things that pertain to Bats Northwest Would you like to same five species were also heard in 2016, during the spring of 2017 when the hibernat- Twenty-million bats, mostly Mexican humans depend on bats: pollination, Envisions a Future . . . and two additional species were added to ing species in Washington emerge from their reforestation, insect control, and medical build bat houses? the list of species observed. The Long-Eared winter dormancy. Once again, BNW will be Where the Essential Role discoveries and so many more. Bat (Myotis evotis) and the Yuma Bat (Myotis involved with local efforts to determine the of Bats is Understood Write newsletter During the week, there are many yumanensis ) were heard during 2016. Over effects of WNS in western Washington and Where the Public Recognizes presentations to choose from that cover articles? the two years of observations at Mercer the status of sensitive species by conducting any of the following topics: Behavioral the Vital Place of Bats Slough, eight of the nine species found acoustic monitoring studies. Coordinate other and Physiological Ecology, Habitat in western Washington were observed. In Our Environment volunteers? and Distribution, Echolocation, and and Economy Conservation Biology. Students Honors Where all are Inspired by Please contact us Sessions included: Hung Out to Dry? Arid Adaptation in Hibernating Big Brown the Remarkable Attributes to see how you can Bats or A Supralaryngeal Neuromuscular Latest White Nose Syndrome Spread Map and Invaluable Contribution help us help bats! Free Tail bats (Tadarida brasiliensis), live Apparatus for Sonar Beam Forming in the of Bats to Our Natural in Bracken Cave and feast twice daily on Free-Tailed Bat. Between Barb and me, Heritage crop pests on the surrounding agriculture we try to attend those presentations that areas. The cave is also a maternity colony. apply to us as bat rehabilitators and bat You can learn more about Bracken Cave at advocates in the Pacific Northwest. the following web site: http://www.batcon. org/our-work/regions/usa-canada/protect- mega-populations/bracken-cave Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve is a 5,500-acre ranch in Blanco County that has been restored to its original habitat. http://bambergerranch.org/our-story There are two federally endangered songbirds that make their home at Bam- berger, the Golden-cheeked warbler and the Black cedar thickets Capped Vireo http://bambergerranch.org/biodiversity One of the highlights of the meeting is The main reason for our trip to the the Teacher’s Workshop. Teachers from ranch was to see the man-made bat cave. the surrounding area are invited to learn The cave is currently home to over 360,000 about bats in order to take the information bats, again, mostly Tadarida. More back to the classroom. Dr. Tuttle was also information can be found here: http:// part of the teacher’s workshop: The Magi- www.merlintuttle.com/tag/selah-bamberg- cal World of Bats and Their Special Impor- er-ranch-preserve/ tance in Texas. Some of the other topics The conference started with the keynote included: Bringing Bat Conservation speech from Dr. Merlin Tuttle. Dr. Tuttle Continued on Page 7. 2 7 Continued from Page 6. Bats Northwest Participates in Washington’s Response to the Classroom (Dianne Odegard, to White Nose Syndrome Education & Public Outreach Manager, Bat Conservation International), The by John E. Bassett, Ph.D. Slough is some 27 miles from Ollalie State Agricultural Importance of Bats (Dr. John Discovery of a white nose syndrome Park and approximately 1,200 feet lower in K. Westbrook, Research Meteorologist, (WNS)-infected bat of a subspecies native to elevation. Surveys at Mercer Slough were USDA-Agricultural Research Service), and Washington state at Ollalie State Park on I-90 conducted in June, July and August of both Batman, Bananas and Bugs (Rob Mies, east of North Bend, WA, in early March of 2015 and 2016. Executive Director, Organization for Bat 2016 initiated quick responses by both state The goal of bat acoustic surveying is to Conservation, Cranbrook Institute of and federal wildlife biologists. With this determine which species are present in Science). https://batconservation.org/ Bats Northwest discovery, WNS, the fungal disease of hiber- an area from the echolocation pulses they During the conference, one gets to see Envisions a Future nating bats that has killed millions of animals produce in the process of navigating the old friends, meet new batty friends, learn in the eastern half of the United States, had habitat in the dark. Acoustic surveying can Where the Essential Role more about bats, and in general reconnect just jumped 2,000 miles from its last known also provide a “first approximation” of how of Bats is Understood with the bat world as it pertains to bat Bats Northwest position in eastern Minnesota to Washing- common a species is in an area. In western research. In 2017, October 18-21, NASBR Where the Public Recognizes ton state. Currently, no explanation for this Washington, the nine species of bats com- 206.256.0406 #47, will be in Knoxville, TN and Puerto the Vital Place of Bats In Our unexpected event has been found. monly found can be distinguished from each Vallarta, MX will be the host city on www.batsnorthwest.org Environment and Economy With the announcement in late March of other by analyzing the ultrasound pulses October 24–27, 2018, for NASBR #48. the discovery of WNS in western Washing- they send out. A survey involves recording Where All are Inspired by the On the way to San Antonio, Meg ton, the Washington Department of Fish and echolocation pulses for a 3.5-hour period Remarkable Attributes and and Barb also visited Bat World – Wildlife (WDFW) initiated several survey following sunset as you either walk around Invaluable Contribution of Texas (https://batworld.org/). In facility with room for insect bats and fruit projects to determine how widespread WNS the habitat of interest with an operator-trig- Bats to Our Natural Heritage 2000 they attended bat boot camp with bats and a new bat cave. It was fun getting was in the state and how much damage, if gered ultrasound recording device or moni- Amanda Lollar to learn more about to interact with Mexican Free-tails and the any, the fungus had caused. One of these tor the air space over a location of interest rehabilitating bats. There is a newly built little fruit bats. projects involved Bats Northwest (BNW). with a self-triggering ultrasound recording In early April, less than two weeks after the device which will record automatically when Board of Directors announcement at the end of March, BNW it senses ultrasound. The recorded bat calls Chris Anderson conducted an initial acoustic monitoring are then analyzed with call analysis software, John Bassett survey of the bats at the Stillwater Wildlife and the results are summarized later as the Meg Lunnum Management Unit (Stillwater) in the lower researcher’s schedule allows. Continued from Page 1. Contacts efforts coordinated through the multiagency Department of the Interior, Michelle Noe Snoqualmie Valley north of Carnation, WA. The Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus), WNS response effort continues to provide U.S. Geological Survey Barb Ogaard Stillwater is located 21 miles from Ollalie one of the bats which has proven most sensi- insights on the spread of WNS, the impacts of Office of Communications and Publishing State Park and is approximately 1,200 feet tive to WNS in the eastern U.S., is also found this disease on bat populations and the potential 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive lower in elevation than Ollalie. The Stillwa- in Washington state. Since this species is for population recovery. Reston, VA 20192 ter site is important because BNW had con- viewed as a “canary in the coal mine” when The national WNS response effort is United States coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Phone: 703-648-4460 Technical Advisors ducted summer acoustic monitoring surveys working with WNS, we employed the Little and involves federal, state and non-governmental of the area in 2012, 2013, and 2014 providing Brown Bat as an indicator of the effects of Curt Black organizations, including representatives from the Marisa Lubeck baseline information about the bat fauna the fungus locally. We also acquired data bat conservation and caving communities. Public Affairs Specialist Sarah Schmidt active in the area well prior to the appearance on the occurrence of the other eight insec- “These results confirm that Pd is capable of Central States of WNS in Washington. The Stillwater site tivorous bat species in the area as well. At movement far across North America. They do Email: [email protected] not, however, change the importance of taking Phone: 303-202-4765 Newsletter Editor was monitored acoustically for bats by BNW Stillwater, Little Brown Bats were heard precautions to reduce the risk of spread by Michelle Noe in 2016 until the end of September. both before (2014) and after (2016) WNS humans,” said Jeremy Coleman, National WNS Gail Moede Rogall In 2016, BNW also continued an acoustic arrival. In addition, they produced approxi- Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Email: [email protected] Service. “There’s much we don’t know about Phone: 608-270-2438 Web Master monitoring project begun in 2015 of the bats mately the same percentage of total bat calls at Mercer Slough Nature Park in Bellevue, heard each year indicating a comparable how Pd will affect populations of western Michelle Noe bats, so it is critical to limit spread as much Jane Hodgins WA. BNW had monitored Mercer Slough abundance over time. At Stillwater, seven of as possible until we can improve survival of Forest Service during the summer of 2015 which provided the remaining eight bat species were heard susceptible bats.” Email: [email protected] baseline data on the fauna in the park from in both 2014 and 2016. The exception to WNS is not known to pose a threat to Phone: 651-649-5281 before the arrival of WNS. Mercer Slough this pattern was Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat humans, pets, livestock or other wildlife. is located on the northwest corner of the (Corynorhinus townsendii) which was heard For more information about WNS, please visit the USGS National Wildlife Health Center junction of I-90 and I-405 and preserves a in 2016 but not in 2014. This species is and Forest Service’s Northern Research Station significant area of wetland and riparian habi- considered sensitive to disturbance, so its websites. 206.256.0406 Continued on Page 3. www.batsnorthwest.org tat within a major metropolitan area. Mercer Become a Bats Northwest Member Join us in the adventure to learn more about our bat neighbors!

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ern U.S., it’s critical to continue working with 206.256.0406 resource managers to help conserve imperiled

bat species, which are worth billions of dollars Lynnwood, WA 98046 WA Lynnwood, per year to North American agriculture and

forestry.”