Bat House Forum

[LarryH]

Last evening I was mowing the pasture to get ready to oversow it with clover, and happened to look towards the bat houses just as the majority of them were emerging. It was beautiful to see them fly off towards the creek, and it was surprising since I wasn't watching for them but just happened to look that direction as they emerged. I have about 200 Little Browns and a few Big Browns this year, and it was apparent that most of them came out in rapid succession.

This year has been so weird weatherwise, that the bats seem to come and go according to the temperature. We've had long spells of very cool days, and the bat houses seem to empty out during those times. Then, when we get another warm or hot spell they all come back to the houses. Both main houses and the nursery house were full during the birthing time, but the entire month of July was very cold and wet and I didn't see many bats during that time. Early August returned to the miserably hot season, and all the bats were back.

In the years we've had bat houses, this summer is the first time I've seen them come and go like this. I wonder if it is because the bat houses don't retain enough heat, or if it was simply because the cold spell lasted too long to get the amount of heat they needed during the day?

[Joe Spencer]

Could be any of those factors Larry. Thanks for the update.

[Terry Lobdell]

Larry, I suspect some of my little brown mothers ventured off elsewhere to give birth and raise pups when it was cool this summer.......possibly a neighbor's attic..........Part of my problem here at home is increased shading from trees as well.............

[Joe Spencer]

That is likely why the bat house builder's handbook had higher occupancy rates for bat houses mounted higher receiving more sun. The height isn't as much as a factor on bat houses mounted in fields where trees don't obstruct the sun.