Bat House Forum

[IowaNate]

  Most of us in the Northern third U.S. are starting to find bats in strange places, maternity colonies in our houses parting ways, and the migration or swarming at the hibernation site is about to start.

  I get married to my wonderful fiance on September 20th, and for most of you that have read my posts know how much I love Guttenburg and the bat activity on the island. Well, for our honeymoon we are staying at the cottage on the island for about 5 days. There are many limestone caverns and caves within 5 miles, so the bat activty should be greatly concentrated near the island. Should be a great few days enjoying the evening show of bats, fishing, and relaxing with the person I am spending the rest my life with!

  Then comes Winter, with little to no bat activity for most of us...but for me it is a time to reflect on the past bat house season, and new ideas for more success are formed through my notes and graph paper. Nothing quite like going to the workshop with a hot pot of coffee brewing and building a bat house or two as the snow gently falls outside the window on a cold Saturday.

  This Winter's bat house project for me will be to make two of my hybrid houses with two wrap around chambers and four standard chambers. The success of the single wrap around chamber houses at the Nature Center has me wanting to get the most from this design. And I might design a smaller wrap around house out of nominal lumber to try in new areas before putting up more/larger houses.

    Happy late season bat housing!

                                                                Nate

   

[Dave Miller]

Congratulations, Nate!

So does your fiancee share your interest in bats?  If so, happy bat hunting!  If not, just my advice - you might want to put the bats on hold for a while.  Your wife needs to know that she is your #1 interest!  You can help grow her interest in bats later, you will have a lifetime for that.

Again, congratulations! 

[Terry Lobdell]

Yes, congratulations Nate! Sounds like great plans! I am looking forward to some bat house projects this winter also. Waste Management in Erie PA wants to put  bat houses on their property next spring. I am real excited  about that as they seem to be a very progressive company in regards to the environment.

Hope you and your fiance have a great wedding and honeymoon!