At the same time we were able to build boxes for ourselves to be placed in our own neighbourhoods in early spring. With great cooperation, and a great shop, thanks to Ron and Leslia, we were able to complete sixteen boxes over the weekend.
The decision to build these boxes came after an enlightening presentation by Cathy Conroy (Kootenay Community Bat Project) at one of our meetings.
"From horror movies to health warnings, societal attitudes about bats are typically extremely negative. Many people view bats as being ugly, scary, nasty little creatures that are harmful blood-sucking pests.
Both this type of public attitude, and limited available habitat that is under threat in BC, have contributed to the general decline of bat populations around the world. Subsequently many of our bat species are listed as vulnerable or threatened (Red- and Blue-listed)."
There are 16 species of bats in BC.
There are thought to be 11 species of bats in the East Kootenay including:
Big brown bat
Hoary bat
Silver-haired bat
Yuma bat
California bat
Little brown myotis
Northern myotis
Long-legged bat
Townsend's big-eared bat
Long-eared bat
Fringed bat