Bat House Forum

[tcm]

Hi! I inspected several of my BCI bat boxes at 62 N in W Norway this winter. Two of the boxes were occupied by soprano pipistrelles; 1) one box with six bats in torpor in November (after the first snows arrival and departure) and one individual in February and 2) one box with a single individual in February (it left in early March). So, at least some bats also use these boxes in winter, even at northern latitudes. It is quite possible that more boxes than these two are used at times during winter.

Best wishes;
Tore

[Joe Spencer]

Very interesting for sure. I can only hope that the gulf stream waters which bring warmth to the UK Norway etc. don't cease or become disrupted by global warming. Although one would think that GW would have a warming effect in these areas, scientists said GW could potentially slow or stop the stream. The contrast between the warmer and colder waters at various levels evidently keep this warm water current heading north east to your area. Without it Norway could resemble Siberia some day while other areas become increasingly hotter. Lets hope it doesn't occur. Great feedback on your bats using bat houses during the winter. Are your bat houses located near the western coast of Norway which has milder winters than inland? Or are you on the eastern side of the western mountains? Fascinating indeed!

[Dave Miller]

It would be good for us in this group to keep an eye out for any hints about bats relocating/adapting due to climate change. In Europe, they are already seeing shifts in bird behavior and numbers, with the changing climate benefitting some birds and causing declines in others (25% of species benefitting to 75% declining, as I recall). I would expect that things would be about the same for bats.

Here's the article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7921936.stm