Help the Florida Bat Working Group as a citizen scientist to ensure a bright future for Florida's bats! |
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Use the new Bat App to record roosts and conduct emergence counts
The Florida Bat Working Group (FLBWG) Monitoring Committee with support of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the University of Florida IFAS Extension have created the new Bat App as a tool for citizen scientist “surveyors” and others to help bats in Florida.
A very important time to survey is during maternity season - which is April 15 - July 15. This protocol will guide you through the use of the Bat App and data collection procedures. Thank you for your assistance in helping us better understand how to protect and conserve bats in Florida.
A very important time to survey is during maternity season - which is April 15 - July 15. This protocol will guide you through the use of the Bat App and data collection procedures. Thank you for your assistance in helping us better understand how to protect and conserve bats in Florida.
Get the FLBWG Bat App
To collect and submit data, you will use Survey123. Survey123 is a software program that can be used as an app on your phone to enter data while you are in the field or you can record your data on paper and enter it at a later time through Survey123 on your computer. Follow the linked instructions for accessing the Survey123 App . If you are not smart-phone savvy, you can also access the survey on your computer web browser found here.
Why is this data important?
A roost is where bats spend their day resting and raising their pups (baby bats) and are an essential component of their habitat. Bats roost in many places, including human-made ‘bat houses’, trees, caves, buildings, and bridges. A colony is a group of bats who live together; groups can be composed of just a few bats, hundreds, or even thousands. Bat colonies can move each season or change in size, so it can be challenging for wildlife managers and researchers to monitor their populations. We conduct emergence counts to determine if a bat colony is using a roost and estimate how many bats there are, and that is why we created the FLBWG Bat App! Our goals are to, 1) Record new or unknown roosts, 2) Track changes in colony size over time, and 3) Identify the types of roosts and characteristics of those roosts that bats prefer.
What time commitment is required?
There is no commitment. However, we've provided some suggestions that are flexible to each person’s time, interest, and expertise. We hope that surveyors will commit to conducting at least one survey at the same roost for several years, but we welcome any surveys you are able to conduct. Commitment can change across years if you want to increase or need to decrease your effort. If you want to conduct more counts within or outside of this time, please do so! Remember, all data is good data.
Bat Observer – Minimum 1 survey per year – Conduct at least 1 survey in maternity season (April 15 – July 15) and/or 1 winter survey (December 1 – March 1).
Bat Spy – Minimum 2 surveys per year – Conduct at least 2 surveys at the same roost; one survey before pups begin flying (pre-volancy; April 15–June 15), and one survey after pups begin flying (post volancy; July 1 – September 1).
Bat Sleuth – Minimum 5 surveys per year – Monthly surveys at the same roost during the maternity season (April 15 – September 1).
Battastic Super Sleuth – Minimum 10 surveys per year – Biweekly (preferably weekly) surveys at the same roost during the maternity season (April 15 – September 1).
Bat Observer – Minimum 1 survey per year – Conduct at least 1 survey in maternity season (April 15 – July 15) and/or 1 winter survey (December 1 – March 1).
Bat Spy – Minimum 2 surveys per year – Conduct at least 2 surveys at the same roost; one survey before pups begin flying (pre-volancy; April 15–June 15), and one survey after pups begin flying (post volancy; July 1 – September 1).
Bat Sleuth – Minimum 5 surveys per year – Monthly surveys at the same roost during the maternity season (April 15 – September 1).
Battastic Super Sleuth – Minimum 10 surveys per year – Biweekly (preferably weekly) surveys at the same roost during the maternity season (April 15 – September 1).
How do I conduct a survey and what data do I collect?
This protocol will guide you through survey and data collection procedures. The Bat App is very easy to use; and let us know if you have any technical difficulties. The steps are simply, 1) locate a bat roost, 2) decide when to do the survey, 3) gather equipment and prepare for the survey, 4) arrive early and note roost characteristics, 5) count the emerging bats, and 6) enter your data into the Bat App!
Best Monitoring Practices:
Cautions: Best monitoring practices should be followed to avoid disturbing the bats as much as possible. Emergence counts should only be done if they can be done safely and without disturbing the bats. Take measurements of roost structure and conduct emergence counts quietly and without getting closer than necessary to the roost. Do not shine bright lights into the roost opening. Do not visit the roost more often than necessary. NEVER touch a bat; do NOT pick up any bat from the ground.
Disclaimers: Any surveys conducted while using this app are completely voluntary and at your own risk. The Florida Bat Working Group (FLBWG), its partners, affiliates, and collaborators are NOT responsible for any resulting injuries or damages incurred by citizen scientist “surveyors”. Caution should be taken to avoid surveyor injury and remain safe, especially in dark areas and near traffic; do not collect data if it cannot be obtained safely.
Disclaimers: Any surveys conducted while using this app are completely voluntary and at your own risk. The Florida Bat Working Group (FLBWG), its partners, affiliates, and collaborators are NOT responsible for any resulting injuries or damages incurred by citizen scientist “surveyors”. Caution should be taken to avoid surveyor injury and remain safe, especially in dark areas and near traffic; do not collect data if it cannot be obtained safely.
Questions or Issues?
Review the protocol for quick answers to most of your questions. All other suggestions, comments, and questions are appreciated. E-mail us at Roost App Moderators @ [email protected]
