Bat House Forum

[Canute]

Put up my first houses last year and was amazed to discover occupants within 5 weeks. After keeping a pretty close eye I was able to record a high count of only 5 (with an average of 3) all the way up through there leaving in October. May of this year three had returned and I was rather disappointed that we didn't appear to be attracting a nursing colony. That is until yesterday when I checked and discovered three adults and four pups! Today I went to check again and found a total of sixteen of which six were pups. Couldn't be more thrilled and thought I'd share some pics!! (getting all of them in one shot is near impossible as they are all staying at the top of the slots so I only have pics of the larger groups and not the loner bats in various other slots)

[Canute]

Here's a view of the houses themselves. Only eight feet off the ground, four slots each, 7/8" spacing.

[Terry Lobdell]

Wow, that is great news! Nice pictures too! That is fast to attract a maternity colony............if it is like mine, it should grow every year!

[Dave Miller]

Yes, great photos and congratulations! Where are you located?

[Canute]

Yes, great photos and congratulations! Where are you located?

We're in the Santa Cruz mountains just outside of Santa Cruz California.

Fog was in heavy this morning and it was pretty cold so I thought I'd check the houses and see if they had all left. Only had five between the two boxes but it seems common that they high tail it when it's not sunny out. I've been of the belief that these bats are California Myotis, not simply due to our location but based upon a lot of things I've read about the species. Today I noticed one that is really gray in color compared to the others so I'm not sure if he's just an oddball or a different species. Either way it was a good excuse to practice my bat photography skills.