Woodlands Conservancy Bats with Dr. Craig Hood

Join Dr. Craig Hood, Professor of Biology and Environment Program, Loyola University, to learn about and explore the bats living in and flying about Woodlands Conservancy.

Since January 2020 we have had a bat monitoring station at Woodlands Trail near the Bat Houses and first bridge, about 1/2 mile down the Bottomland Trail.   To date, we’ve documented (recorded) 7 species of bats, including Red/Seminole and Yellow, Hoary, Big Brown, Evening, Tricolored, and Mexican freetail bats!     These are all the first records of bats occurring at Woodlands and the records are being added to the National Bat Monitoring Program Network.  With the weather warming up, and the insect populations increasing we should be able to detect, “hear” and see bats flying at dusk with our handheld bat detectors.

Arrive at Woodlands Trail by 7 pm and gather at the Pavilion to hike the trail for about 1/2 mile to the bat houses and picnic table area (about a 15 minute causal walk).    We will discuss and demonstrate how electronic bat detectors work, then position ourselves at the canal next to the bat houses to “listen” and watch for the bats that fly by.     The trail might be muddy, so you should wear appropriate shoes (or boots), a handheld light, and mosquito spray if bugs “bug you”, because it’s likely to be buggy (which is why the bats are here).