For the past three weeks, Roberts Creek resident Lois Anderson has had an unusual visitor – a rare bat species has chosen her front-door stoop as a winter hibernation spot.
With enormous ears designed for listening for insect prey, the Townsend’s big-eared bat is a most unique looking character. Local biologists were excited to come view the bat as this threatened species has only been documented five times on the Lower Sunshine Coast to date.
Anderson, whose home is situated near Joe Road, says she is intrigued to have a bat in residence and interested to see how long it stays. She adds her house must be marked as a haven for creatures because two years ago an otter tried to make its home under her deck.
The Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project is reminding other community members to report their bat sightings this winter. Monitoring helps scientists to understand bat roosting ecology and seasonal patterns of behaviour, and to monitor for signs of white-nose syndrome, the devastating disease killing bats across North America.
To report a bat sighting or dead bat, email [email protected] or call 604-989-1007. Remember to never touch a bat with bare hands.
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