Observation: One the charming parts of summer is star gazing, firefly catching and the swirling swish of bats. Ten years ago we could sit on the back porch or lawn and see the swish of the bats at dusk and have the complete excitement of a bat in the house, on occasion. We have an old farm house with shuttered windows, which makes a wonderful habitat for bats to hibernate and nest. In the last few years we have noticed a dramatic increase in the bug population and a marked absence of bats at dusk or at anytime at all. The bat used to be part of the summer landscape and a welcome sight, especially when the bugs started to hatch and become a nuisance. Alas, we can no longer depend and be comforted by the assumption that "at least the bats will take care of the bugs." It has been two years since we have seen a bat and we have come to miss them. I am uncertain as to their demise, we had heard that the population was on the decrease after coming in contact with a deadly bat virus a few years ago. But at this time we and our shutters anxiously await the return of the bats and once again the decrease in the flying bug population.
LEO says According to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, there are nine species of bats in Vermont and five are either threatened or endangered. White Nose Syndrome is listed as a major cause of the decline. In the Northeastern U.S., WNS has been associated with the death of "more than 5.7 million bats since 2006." Learn more at the VF&W Got Bats (http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/learn_more/living_with_wildlife/got_bats) website. Look for the "How to Help" link to see how citizens can participate by reporting sick or dead bats and other events. See also {White-Nose Syndrome.org
Resources
Biologist Check Vermont Cave for Bat Disease Rate
Observations From Members 