At dusk on summer nights bats drop from roosts and begin hunting insects. This week Fish and Game staff were on hand at McArthur Wildlife Management Area to count bats as they emerged. This was a small part of a larger effort to include Idaho Panhandle bats in the North American Bat Monitoring Program. Since white-nose syndrome was detected in Washington this summer it is especially important to establish baseline bat population information prior to the fungus potentially reaching Idaho.
Help us keep a look out for white-nose syndrome: if you find 5 or more dead bats in one location or find dead bats repeatedly in the same spot call the regional office (769-1414).
Bats are in full flight when they drop from boxes and are difficult to photograph!
IDFG staff prepare to count bats as they drop from bat boxes for the night.
Bat boxes may also be installed on free-standing posts.