Bat House Forum

[cloudman75]

I have had a small bat, smaller than a little brown, staying here during the winter months for several years now. Last week we had a low of 13 degrees
and I found the little bat in its cold weather roost which is the very bottom my attic louver in a corner that is somewhat sheltered. The screen behind the louver prevents it from getting into my attic, but I believe it benefits from heat loss entering the spot from the heated room below.
Yesterday was rather mild in the 50s and a low in the 40s last night. The little bat has moved back into my old 3 chamber cedar house and was there last night about 10:30 when I checked my 4 bat houses. It is a mystery to me what species it is and how it can survive the cold temperatures in winter.
We had a week where the temps were in the 20s recently. This bat becomes active and flies on warm days here in winter. It is the color of a little brown but much smaller and a loner. Does anyone have any idea what species it may be in the metro Atlanta, GA area? There have been times when I saw it in the attic louver and thought it was dead. I checked the louver today and sure enough it was gone. It rests in a horizontal position and does not hang in the louver. I am not taking photos of it because I don't want to make it burn fat it may need to survive if I would disturb it with the flash.

Frank

[William Bagwell]

Eastern small foot? According to Wikipedia it is "among the smallest bats in eastern North America." Ranges as far south as Georgia and weighs 4–8 grams verses the 5-12 of a little brown. The pictures I just pulled up with a Google image search show it basically the same color as a little brown with the exception of a dark face mask.

William

[cloudman75]

Thanks for reply William. I had come to the conclusion that it may be a small footed bat some time ago and after re- reading up everything I could find it fits the MO. It can tolerate cold weather pretty well, I know it is a little breezy near the attic louve where it stays at times in winter. Also I have seen it very close and it fits the description. I have not seen its feet to date. Tonight it has left my place as I checked the bat houses and attic louver around 9PM.
There is no sign of the bat. I have a large woodpecker damaging the house that it was in. It has torn the netting loose on the baffles trying to make an entrance. I have chased it away but it comes back. I may have to scare it a little harder tomorrow if it returns. I have not had this particular type
Flicker bother my bat houses before. I think it disturbed the little bat and it left for a quieter place.

Frank

[cloudman75]

The resident bat is no longer in residence. I suppose the cold weather finally made it leave.

Frank

[Emersombiguns]

I don't have any in my house, but I did hear one 2 weeks ago with my receiver at dusk. I am about to tilt my house over and do some caulking,put shingle on it. Temp has been down to low 30's here few times in La. I did see a small one flying at dusk at a RR site I maintain in Central La right before xmas. Was warm that night. When do most of you start seeing yours return? I seem to remember I had mine in March to April...Thanks.

[cloudman75]

The maternity colony begins to return about the middle of March normally, provided the weather is spring like and no freezing weather. They come a few at a time and not all together. I have had bats stop by a few days on warm streaks in Feb. and early March. These are normally freetails which fly in from their warmer winter residence. I don't think they hibernate at all. I have a few small dark colored bats that come and stay from early March even when it is in the low 30s at night. I would encourage you in LA. to put up a white colored house as all my bats here get too hot even in unpainted houses. I have taken several photos of them outside on the landing board in daytime trying to get cool. I put up two summer houses for them this winter and will be anxious to see what happens. One never knows for sure all
about bats, and I don't claim to know. I just experiment but have guessed right a number of times so far.
This winter has been cold and unusual for us here in metro Atlanta. Good luck and keep us posted on the forum.

Frank