CSP Bat Count Saturday July 12th at Chapman Dam State Park
Pennsylvania’s most common bat is the little brown bat. These bats can grow to lengths of about 3-5 inches including the tail, with wingspans measuring close to ten inches. Bat populations have taken a blow due to White Nose Syndrome (WNS). WNS is a fungal infection that effects colonized hibernating bats in winter. Scientists and conservation officials have been taking steps to study this problem and find ways of protecting these creatures. Little brown bats can consume thousands of insects including mosquitoes each night. This is one of the reasons why they are important to the ecosystem.
I remember watching bats fluttering around catching insects that would gather around security lights at dusk near our family camp in Elgin, Pa. My uncle informed me then that these were little brown bats and basically harmless. They were a common sight in those days. It had been awhile since I had seen bats around the area more recently, and I feared the white nose syndrome may have wiped them out. I’ve seen them every night at dusk in the past few days, reminding me of those days at camp.
There is a program being offered to the public free of charge at Chapman State Park, where participants can learn about and study bats. The park naturalist will show you how they monitor bat populations. Participants can watch bats emerge from roosting sites and listen to them use echo location with a bat detector.You can also learn about the decline of bat populations and how to help with conservation efforts.
Participants are asked to bring a flashlight and meet at pavilion#2. This event is scheduled from 8-9:30pm. For more information please call Chapman State Park at (814)-723-0250 or (814)-723-0259.
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