Bat House Forum

[rkaled]

Wow.. I didn't expect such a quick occupation (occupied in just 2 weeks).

My wife and kids bought me a bathouse for Father's day this year. I hung it at the peak of my garage roof. I now hear something living in it! I didn't expect anything to move in this year.

The house is hung fairly close to a playscape that I built (maybe 10 feet from the top of the playscape). I know that once the kids figure out that a bat is in the house, they'll never go near their playscape again.

I live on the outskirts of Detroit, and yes, we have bats here too...even in the city.

I've seen most bats flying at dusk and after, but I haven't seen my bat yet. I've sat out there until 11:00 and after, and I hear him/her, but I haven't seen it come out. ?? Any ideas why it stays in it's house so late?

How can I learn what type of bat I have, and how can I best observe it?

Regards all.... ...Bob

[Joe Spencer]

Hi Bob, you more than likely have either a little brown bat or big brown bat and I suspect the latter bat since it's numbers are greater than the little brown in near city locations. I recommend that you put a board below it and collect a guano(droppings) samples in an attempt to help identify the species and compare it with what I have here: http://batnic.tripod.com/guano.html Bob when you have only one bat it is often difficult to focus on the one bat after emergence. I have often waited until just before dusk about 30-60 minutes before emergence and then shined a flashlight briefly up into the bat house to take a peek. Though the bats aren't too happy about it they often become tolerant/accustomed to your occasional visits. Looking forward to your feedback. Sorry it took so long for me to get back to ya here, I was on vacation in Penn. and just got back! Welcome