Bat distribution in the juniper woodlands of the Idaho Owyhee Mountains: summer 1996

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We sampled for bats by mist netting, using broad band sonar detectors and recorders (ANABAT2 detectors and timers from Australia, Radio Shack voice-activated recorders) and by structure searches. Our study area was the BLM lands within Owyhee County, concentrating on the water sources on the Owyhee Uplands Byway. We observed the following species: Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat), Euderma maculatum (spotted bat), Lasionycteris noctivagans (silver-haired bat), Myotis californicus (California myotis), M. ciliolabrum (western small-footed bat), M. evotis (long-eared bat), M. lucifugus (;ittle brown bat). M. thysanodes (fringed bat), M. volans (long-legged bat), and M. yumanensis (Yuma myotis). Seven (7) of these species are BLM sensitive species. We noted reproductive females or juveniles for the following species: long-eared bat, western small-footed bat, fringed bat, and long-legged bat. Numbers of captures and numbers of recorded calls were low compared to captures in forests to the north. We provide evidence that suggests low populations are due to a lack of adequate day roosts. We conclude that green junipers and most basalt rimrock found within our study area provide marginal roost habitat. We suggest the following: protection of any and all maternity colonies in the area, creation of snags from larger junipers, and inventory of abandoned mines to determine presence of other species or maternity roosts.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology: Mammals

Citation: Perkins, J. M., and J. R. Peterson. 1997. Bat distribution in the juniper woodlands of the Idaho Owyhee Mountains: summer 1996. Technical Bulletin 97-4. Idaho Bureau of Land Management , Boise, ID. 12 p.