Bat Workshops

SonoBat Acoustic Monitoring
This workshop will introduce participants to noninvasive acoustic monitoring and species identification of bats. The workshop will begin with the fundamentals of acoustics to interpret the biology and ecology of echolocation to understand how bats use sound and how we can interlope into this realm to survey and monitor bats. From this foundation, participants will then learn the theory and practice of recording and analyzing ultrasonic bat vocalizations to interpret bat activity and species presence.

Field outings will provide hands-on experience in deploying gear and acquiring data to process. This workshop will demonstrate tools and techniques for both short term and long-term passive monitoring of bats and automated data processing.

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.

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.

Upcoming Workshops:

Laurel Caverns 2010

SonoBat Acoustic Monitoring
Laurel Caverns, Farmington, PA

Patuxent 2010

Advanced Bat Capture Techniques
Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD

What participants had to say...
“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!"

Previous Workshop Venues:

Laurel Caverns 2009

Bat Study Techniques
Laurel Caverns, Farmington PA

New Jersey 2009

Bat Study Techniques
Somerset and Morris County, NJ

Shawnee 2008

Bat Study Techniques
Shawnee State Park, Shellsburg PA

All workshops are presented by:

Other Workshops Offered:
BCI Weeklongs

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

and

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

Intensive two hours of
hands on constructing!

Season
of the Bat

Hour presentation on the
life cycle of PA bats