Swimming for Bats by Author Elaine A. Powers

I enjoy volunteering for citizen scientist projects. They usually involve rock iguanas on Caribbean islands.  However, recently I signed up to participate in a project in my backyard. Literally, my backyard. Over my pool, actually.

I often write about how mankind has negatively impacted animals and ecosystems, such as contributing to loss of habitat. An obvious example is building houses. But every now and then, our dwellings might actually help some animals.

Here in the Sonoran Desert, finding water can be problematic for animals, and people, for that matter.  Scientists studying the impact of people on bat behavior discovered when natural bodies of water dry up, bats turn to pools for water.

To determine which bat species are utilizing pools, vocalization detectors are being set up in different places in the world, one of which is the Tucson area. I’m thrilled that my pool has been selected. I often swim at night and enjoy having my flighted friends join me. I cheer as they gobble up the insects – fewer to bite me!

I’m eager to find out what kind of bats co-exist with me. I suspect there are at least three species based on my personal observations.

A vocalization detector is placed near the pool and records during the time that bats are active.

This is definitely an easier way to record the presence of bats. I often try to photograph the bats as they swoop above and around me. Nearly impossible–however, I recently managed to get a blurry one. It’s not a good image, but it was an attempt at photographing an erratically moving subject at night!

What kind of bat is it?

Stay tuned to this blog for updates on this research project.

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Bat Image by Signe Allerslev from Pixabay

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