The BC Community Bat Program is seeking volunteers and bat colonies for the annual bat count.

This citizen-science initiative encourages residents to count bats at local roost sites.

91裸聊视频淏at counts are a wonderful way for residents to get involved in collecting important scientific information91裸聊视频� says biologist Mandy Kellner, coordinator of the BC Community Bat Program. 91裸聊视频淣o special skills are needed, kids can be involved and you can relax in a deck chair while counting.91裸聊视频�

This year the annual bat count will collect baseline data on bat populations before the devastating White Nose Syndrome fungal disease affects bats in the province.

91裸聊视频淲hite Nose Syndrome is estimated to have killed more than six million bats since it was first discovered in eastern North America a decade ago,91裸聊视频� says Kellner. 91裸聊视频淚n March 2016, the disease was detected just east of Seattle. This has greatly increased our urgency to understand bat populations in BC. We need the public91裸聊视频檚 help to census local bat populations. The summer of 2017 may be our last year to obtain population estimates before White Nose Syndrome causes widespread declines in western North America.91裸聊视频�

Volunteers wait outside a known roost site, such as a bat-house, barn, bridge or attic and count bats as they fly out at twilight. They record the final number along with basic information on weather conditions. Ideally, one to two counts are done between June 1 and 21, before pups are born, and once more between July 21 and August 15 when pups are flying.

91裸聊视频淲e know relatively little about bats in B.C., including basic information on population numbers91裸聊视频� continues Kellner. 91裸聊视频淭his information will be extremely valuable, particularly if it is collected annually. If people want to get involved but don91裸聊视频檛 have a roost site on their property, we will try to match them with a roost site nearby.91裸聊视频�

Funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and with support of the BC Conservation Foundation and the Province of BC, the BC Community Bat Program provides information for people dealing with bat issues on their property or have questions about how to attract bats.. To find out more about or to register for a bat count, or to get assistance dealing with bat issues, visit www.bcbats.ca or call 1-855-9BC-BATS.