This photo is of a long-tailed bat found in a poplar tree that was being felled. It was in an area that hadn't been identified as a roosting area (Whatukururu Reserve). This bat was successfully translocated.
Photo credit: Darren Le Roux |
Hamilton is one of the few cities in New Zealand with a resident population of native long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus).
Long-tailed bats have been detected mainly in the southern area, Mangakotuktuku and Manaonua gully systems, with regular “sightings” (using bat detectors) at Hammond Park along the river margin.
Bats prefer to live in riparian and gully habitats meaning connections between Hamilton and remnant bush patches are vital. They avoid open pasture, high density housing and light.
There are a limited number of bat roosts in Hamilton, with bats typically roosting under the bark of larger trees. They roost underneath small areas of lifting bark or old branch pockets. This is one of the main reasons for retaining old, even dead, trees in areas known as roosting sites. Long-tailed bats have been found to roost in a range of old growth native and exotic trees including gum, pine, willow and oak.
Old exotic trees are often undervalued in conservation management but can be extremely important for urban bats. Automated bat monitoring detectors are currently being used in Hamilton to non-invasively record bat echolocation calls between the hours of sunset and sunrise across different nights, seasons, weather conditions, microhabitats, temperature, rainfall and moonlight.
Basically by acoustically 'spying' on the bats over periods of time, valuable information about their activity patterns and habitat is gained without having to catch or handle individuals. The findings are anticipated to further increase our knowledge of long-tailed bat behaviour and ecology in the urban environment. |
Project Echo |
Project Echo aims to gather information on bat distribution throughout Hamilton city. This project could lead to on-going work to protect bat roosting trees and provide predator control.
Project Echo is supported by Hamilton City Council, Environment Waikato, University of Waikato, and the Riverlea Environment Society Inc. For more information or to record a bat sighting check out the Project Echo Website. |
Contact
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If you suspect bats could be living in your area contact Council's Community Planting Co-ordinator for advice before removing any old-growth trees on 838 6501.
Parks and Gardens
Level 4, Council Offices
Garden Place
Hamilton City Council
Private Bag 3010
Hamilton 3240
Phone: 838 6622
Fax: 838 6651
Email |
