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Lets talk bats.
We offer two basic programs which can be combined or tailored for a particular site or group. In some special areas there may be evening walks or even real trap demonstrations. Contact us for availability well in advance of your group event. |
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-- Workshop is full, see bottom of page for notes --
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Bat Study Techniques Workshop
With Special Focus on the Endangered Indiana Bat Shawnee State Park • May 9-11, 2008 |
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In response to growing needs for bat studies, Bat Conservation and Management, Inc., the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, are hosting a Bat Study Techniques Workshop at Shawnee State Park, a nearly 4,000-acre park in Pennsylvania’s scenic Ridge and Valley Region. The park is potentially home to all nine species of bats found in the Northeast U.S. In 2007 BCM co-led an elaborate Indiana bat spring radio telemetry operation and the park became the second known site in Pennsylvania for a summer colony of federally endangered Indiana myotis (Myotis sodalis). This Study Techniques Workshop highlights current bat conservation and research techniques, especially those that will add to the body of knowledge regarding Indiana bat presence, roosting, and migratory behavior in the region.
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| Bat Study Techniques Workshop participants will receive hands-on assembly experience with single-high, double-high, and triple-high mist nets as well as harp traps. Advanced capture techniques involving arrays of multiple nets and traps will be demonstrated each day. Evening activities include collecting, handling, identification, banding, echolocation recording, and data processing for captured bats. Proof of current rabies titer is required for participants to handle bats. In addition, discussion and hands on radio telemetry techniques will be highlighted, including a simulated tracking exercise to replicate what is currently known about Indiana myotis behavior. In the event of a suitable Indiana bat capture, interested participants will get to radio track the animal as it forages determine its day roost. Pennsylvania Game Commission staff will be coordinating any live radio tracking efforts during the course. Custom mobile telemetry platforms will be available for both activities. John Chenger of Bat Conservation and Management, Inc., will be leading a team of BCM staff during all study and capture technique components at this workshop. He has been catching bats for over 17 years and radio tracking bats since 2000. In 2007 alone, he and his staff have conducted over 250 nights of netting and trapping in conjunction with statewide surveys and monitoring projects in six states. Also in 2007 BCM completed four Indiana bat radio telemetry studies inculding two during spring and fall migration periods near Shawnee State Park. This workshop is co-led by Janet Tyburec, B.A., (Trinity University, San Antonio TX). Janet was Director of Education Programs at Bat Conservation International, Inc (Austin TX) for 15 years. She is currently a contract instructor for Bat Conservation International’s “Bat Conservation and Management Training Workshops” in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and California where she teaches wildlife biologists, educators, and other professionals field skills for bat research and conservation. She’s worked in Pennsylvania since 1994 and dreams about the day that Myotis sodalis can be down-listed. Cal Butchkoski, 25+ year veteran Pennsylvania Game Commission non-game wildlife biologist will discuss case studies of Indiana bat radio tracking in the Northeast. One weekend session: May 9-11. Limited to 20 people. Program |
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Bat Study Techniques Workshop
With Special Emphaisis on the Federally Endangered Indiana Myotis (Myotis sodalis) Location: Shawnee State Park, Schellsburg PA Dates: Friday 9- Sunday 11 May 2008. Program runs from 9:00 AM Friday-Sunday night May 11th midnight or later. Lodging: Campsite, trailer, and cabin facilities available at Shawnee State Park for an added charge. Wide range of hotels available between 5 and 20 minutes away. The closest motel is the Shawnee Lodge. Please see our event brochure for a list of nearby lodging and phone numbers. Equipment: Participants need to bring appropriate field gear, including hiking boots, bat-handling gloves, a head-lamp with batteries, a personal pack, and a water bottle. Shallow streams may be encountered. You also need to bring proof of rabies vaccination if you plan to handle bats. Meals: Hearty lunch and dinner on 9, 10, and 11 May is included with the registration fee (special dietary needs can be accommodated, see registration form). Materials: Registration fee includes workshop materials, references, resources, and a curriculum that covers all agenda topics. Fee: $349.00 Registration Deadline:10 April 2008 |
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Hands on setting and running mist
nets up to triple high in size |
Hands on SonoBat/Petersson and
ANABAT acoustic recorders |
Advanced radio telemetry
techniques demonstrated |
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Lodging list, mail in registration
Contact, map, and nearby lodging information is available on our Study Techniques PDF. Please note field logistics force us to limit workshop participants to only 20. Registration and payment required by April 10 to reserve your slot! Payment is required before April 10 to confirm your reservation. Reservations cannot be held without payment. Daily rates for this event are not available. |
Questions may be directed to: Bat handlers in the Study Techniques Workshop must have rabes pre-exposure vaccination. If you do not produce a vaccination receipt during check in, you will not be permitted to handle bats.You may email your vaccination receipt or fax to 717-241-2228. |
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The workshop is completely full and no more registrations will be accepted (the online ordering system is deactivated and mail in regristrations will be returned). At this point email John Chenger to be placed on a waiting list should any cancellations occur. We are considering adding a second workshop in the fall of 2008, if you are interested in a similar workshop please email John Chenger as we are exploring several venues.
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