BCM Multi-Day Bat Workshops

Types of
Bat Workshops:

SonoBat Software Training
Western Bat Acoustics Field Techniques
Eastern Bat Acoustics Field Techniques

Bat Study Techniques
Advanced Capture Techniques

If your facility would like to host a bat workshop
please contact John Chenger jchenger (at) batmanagement.com.
Upcoming Workshops:
Eastern Bat Acoustics
Field Techniques

Kentucky
September 6-9, 2012
Why so few workshops offered?

Well, not really. John Chenger, with additional BCM staff and considerable resources will be assisting with Bat Conservation International's various venues again in 2012.
Venue logistics are being organized, please check back for workshop details.


SonoBat Software Training Course
The software training course begins with the fundamentals of acoustics to interpret the biology and ecology of bat echolocation. Students will learn how bats use sound and how biologists can eavesdrop on the night to survey and monitor bats. Features of the SonoBat software designed to illustrate key bat call characteristics and concepts in acoustic analysis will be identified and explained in detail during guided demonstrations. From this foundation, participants will then gain an understanding of the theory and practice of recording and analyzing ultrasonic bat vocalizations to interpret bat activity and species presence. Pre-recorded bat calls from recent regional acoustic inventories will be available during all hands-on analysis demonstrations, and participants are encouraged to bring their own raw files to process. This provides students with realistic illustrations of call collection concepts and processing examples likely to occur during actual acoustic efforts in the field. Although fieldwork is not the focus of this class, a number of bat detectors will be on hand for demonstration and at some venues it may be possible to obtain local recordings weather permitting.

What participants said about SonoBat Software Training Courses...
“Take it. How often do you get the chance to discuss implementation and use of proprietary software with the person who created it, particularly in such a small -group informal setting?”

“As with all BCM workshops-- excellent!”

“Great job! Thank you very much for organizing. Overall this was a super class!”

“Definately take the course to understand what the program is actually doing to understand limitations (with recording/analyizing bat acoustic monitoring).”

“Joe was great with making time to speak with us. I would recommend this class to anyone interested in the acoustics field.”

Eastern & Western Acoustic Field Techniques Course
The field techniques course combines all aspects of the software training course at locations and during times when live recordings of bats can be collected on evening field trips. Field outings at each venue will provide hands-on experience in deploying gear and acquiring data to process during daytime classroom demonstrations, with special emphasis on identifying local bat species. Night-time activities at nearby field sites will demonstrate tools and techniques for both short term and long-term passive monitoring of bats, automated data collection and processing, protocols for deploying acoustic transects, and highlight methods for collecting active recordings of bats to facilitate more confident species identification. A number of detectors are available to test drive, including Pettersson D240x, D500x, D1000x, Binary Acoustic Technologies AR125/AR125EXT and field recorder, Elekon Batlogger, and Wildlife Acoustics SM2BAT and EM3.

What participants said about Acoustic Field Techniques courses...
“If you plan on using full-spectrum detectors and SonoBat, this course is invaluable!”

“Sign up - no hesitations!”

“Definitely worth taking if you are interested in collecting acoustic data!”

“I was impressed with the numbers of detectors available to use. I was expecting to have to work in groups to use just one detector. Now I feel more confident using these devices.”

“I recommend this workshop very highly.”

“A wide range of topics were covered even though this was billed as a SonoBat-focused workshop. I picked up a lot of useful information across the board.”

Bat Study Techniques
In response to growing needs for bat studies, the Bat Conservation and Management, Inc. (BCM) and Bat Conservation International (BCI) Study Techniques Workshops highlight current bat conservation and research initiatives, especially those that will add to the body of knowledge regarding Indiana bat presence, roosting, and migratory behavior in the region.

Participants will receive hands-on assembly and deployment instruction with harp traps and single-, double-, and triple-high mist net sets. Evening activities include bat handling, removal from nets and traps, identification, banding, echolocation call recording, and data processing. Proof of current rabies titer is required for participants to handle bats. In addition, hands-on radio telemetry and acoustic-monitoring techniques will be highlighted. This workshop is suitable for professional consultants, environmental educators, wildlife agency employees, land managers, and others looking to gain guided, hands-on experience with bats and current survey methods for their study. Field trips are tailored to each venue, capitializing on the unique natural resources of the locality.

Please write or call for availability. Private workshops can be customized to your location; please contact John Chenger for availability, quotes, or if you have a facility wishing to sponser a venue location.

What participants said about Bat Study Techniques workshops...
“Take the course, it is well worth it.”

“Expect a full couple of days.”

“I would highly recommend this course to colleagues.”

“The entire workshop was a complete success. It was obvious a lot of thought had been given to setting up the class agenda and outdoor activity locations. The diversity of topics and hands-on experiences covered was appropriated for the duration of the workshop.”

“Be sure to get pre-exposure rabies vaccination to take full advantage of the activities.”

“I learned more about bats and bat conservation this weekend than I ever expected.”

“Despite the fast pace of the workshop, the instructor-to-student ratio afforded all students a great learning experience.”

“Exceeded my expectations.”

"This was the most valuable and interesting course I have ever enrolled in! I expressed this to not only my co- workers, but also my friends and family. Thanks again and look forward to attending another one in the future!"

“Don't miss the chance to experience this workshop!” 

“It's a great course, take it, you will learn a ton.” 

“If you can afford the time, take it!” 

“Worth the money!” 

“Exciting and a great opportunity to learn the newest data on research and WNS and handling opportunities.” 

“Try everything and learn from participants as well as instructors.” 

“I would strongly recommend this workshop to college undergraduates interested in wildlife conservation/management.” 

“It is totally worth the money and crazy schedule, the people, location, experience and education are priceless.” 

“If you have an interest in bats, you HAVE TO take this workshop.” 

“Instructors were the best!"

“It’s hard to imagine anyone would leave feeling like they didn't gain a lot from this course.”

“Absolutely take this workshop! Well worth the time, energy, and investment - rewards the interested biologist with a life-long passion. Thank you!”

“You'll have ample opportunity to learn more than enough about bats, bat trapping techniques, and bat handling and walk away feeling confident about your new knowledge of bats.”


Advanced Bat Study Techniques
This Advanced Study Techniques Workshop highlights current bat conservation and research techniques, designed to "put it all together" ensuring that biologists spending time in the field maximize their efforts to take a more comprehensive look at the bats on the landscape.

This course is designed for graduate of past 6-day courses developed by BCI, previous 3 night BCM workshops, or simply biologists, consultants, or researchers with previous field experiance. During the 4-day program participants will be given the autonomy to visit a site and carry out a physical capture effort that is combined with passive bat-detector monitoring and an active mobile acoustic transect inventory plan.

Please write or call for availability. Private workshops can be customized to your location; please contact John Chenger for availability, quotes, or if you have a facility wishing to sponser a venue location.

What participants said about Advanced Bat Study Techniques workshops...
“The event met with all my expectations and more, it was very empowering!” 

“The WNS presentation at the beginning set the bar for excellence.” 

“The event met my expectations and went beyond!” 

“This was an excellent course with much bang for the buck!”

“Great job Janet and John!”
Most workshops are presented by:
and when noted
Other Workshops Offered:
BCI We eklongs

Bat Conservation and Management
and Acoustic Monitoring weeklongs
CA, PA, KY, and AZ


Previous BCM, Inc. Workshop Venues:
Advanced Capture
Techniques 2010

Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD
Bat Study
Techniques 2009

Laurel Caverns,
Farmington PA
Bat Study
Techniques 2009

Somerset and Morris County, NJ
Bat Study
Techniques 2008

Shawnee State Park,
Shellsburg PA

Half-Day Bat Programs
General Public Programs

We offer two basic programs which can be combined or tailored for a particular site or group. We have given programs for school classes, nature centers, state parks, and other community organizations. 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. Fees and availability are based on season and location.
Bat House
Bat house program
Intensive two hours of
hands on constructing!
Season
of the Bat

Hour presentation on the
life cycle of PA bats

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