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NABat is a muli-national, collaborative conservation monitoring program aimed at understanding status and trends all 47 species of bats common to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. What We Provide NABat provides essential, bat-related data, standardized monitoring guidance, and analytical tools and products that streamline regulatory compliance and inform resource management Learn More 195,000,000 + bat-related data records 47 North American bat species in database 570+ partner organizations in the U.S. and Canada 2,700+ registered users & data contributors 100+ analytical products, decision-support tools, and software releases 500 + third-party data requests

Create Account Plan Project Collect Data Prep/Process Data Upload Data Data QA/QC Get Data Species Codes Quick Links DATA QA/QC Jump to Common QA/QC Warnings... Unknown Locations Survey Details Incomplete Survey Locations Unused Possible Duplicate Locations Search for Your Error/Warning Code Survey Locations Unused The "Some survey locations are unused" warning indicates that a spatial object (point, transect, or GRTS cell) has been saved as a survey location but no survey events have been associated with that location. This typically occurs when a user manually saves a location using the drawing tools on the project map or uploads a spatial object as a .kml/.geojson file but fails to provide survey metadata. The warning serves as a reminder to project members that the location has been saved and should either be associated with a survey event or deleted. To resolve error: Users may associate unused locations with existing surveys manually: 1. First identify the GRTS cell ID of the unused location (hover over the point on the project map to reveal the GRTS ID). 2. Data for a project’s GRTS cells is located beneath the project map. Scroll to the desired GRTS cell and expand its content to find and open the desired survey. 3. Click the survey's green Edit Survey Details button. A location (used or unused) may be selected from a dropdown menu within the editing tool, linking said location to the survey. Users may also associate unused locations with existing surveys using the Partner Portal's Bulk Upload tool: 1. Simply enter the location name (must match exactly) to the “Site Name" data column within the bulk upload template . Possible Duplicate Locations This warning indicates that the project contains ≥ 1 survey location(s) within 100 m of another saved location. Often, this occurs when a survey location is established and minor variations, either in the latitude/longitude or the location name, are introduced in subsequent survey years. This warning does not necessarily indicate an error. In some instances, survey locations may be within 100 m of another survey location, particularly for hibernacula surveys or emergence count events. However, in most instances (especially for stationary acoustic surveys) survey locations should not be within 100 m of another site, and these locations should be combined into a single survey site. Click the Show Possible Duplicate Locations button to expand the table and view all possible duplicate locations. To resolve duplicate locations: 1. The user must choose a location among the duplicates to survive in the project; the remaining duplicates are to be deleted after having their surveys migrated into the surviving location. 2. To migrate a survey out of a location, begin by clicking the location’s link in the “Possible Duplicate Locations” table; the location and its data menu will appear in the project map. A location’s surveys are viewable in the summary table at the bottom of the data menu. 3. Click any survey link within that table to be ushered to the survey details. Click the green Edit Survey Details button, then use the drop-down location options to reassign the survey to the chosen location. 4. Repeat this process for all surveys in a duplicate location; once the duplicate location is empty of surveys it may be deleted from the project. Show Unknown Locations The "Show Unknown Locations" warning indicates that a location has been provided at the GRTS cell level without X,Y coordinates. This can occur when users manually create a survey event through the user interface and indicate the site is an "Unknown or undisclosed location" or when users provide metadata through the bulk upload template with GRTS cell values but no latitude or longitude. Unknown locations are not necessarily errors; some users prefer to provide data at the GRTS-cell-level rather than the point level. In these cases, the "Show Unknown Locations" warning can be ignored. However, users may prefer to provide more detailed location information. Click the Show Unknown Locations button to expand the table and view all unknown locations. Users may manually add X,Y coordinates to an existing location. The user must create a new point within the target GRTS cell and migrate surveys from the unknown location: 1. Begin by clicking the link to the unknown location within the table; the GRTS cell containing the unknown location and its data menu will appear in the project map. 2. Mark a point on the map to replace the current unknown location, clicking the green Edit button to add a name and specific X,Y coordinates if desired. 3. Return to the “Show Unknown Locations” table and click the link to the original unknown location to begin migrating surveys to the new, coordinate-specified point. If surveys exist for the unknown location, they are displayed in a summary table below the location details. Click any present survey to expand its details in the list of project GRTS cells beneath the project map. 4. Click the survey’s green Edit Survey Details button. The new, coordinate-specific location may be selected from a dropdown menu within the editing tool, migrating the survey from the unknown location. 5. Repeat for all surveys within the unknown location. 6. When finished (i.e., the unknown location contains NO surveys), again follow its link in the “Show Unknown Locations” table. Use the resulting menu options to permanently delete the location from the project.

Create Account Plan Project Collect Data Prep/Process Data Upload Data Data QA/QC Get Data Species Codes Resource Library RESOURCE LIBRARY Training Videos Reports & Background Docs Acoustic Survey Guidance Analyses Data Releases Software & Code Releases Helpful Links Training Videos Getting Started Intro to NABat View Video Using the Partner Portal Cell Selection Tool View Video Understanding the NABat Master Sample View Video What's in a [Site] Name? View Video Creating an NABat Partner Portal Project View Video The NABat R Package View Video Acoustics Planning, Prep, & Protocols for Stationary Acoustics View Video Processing Acoustic Data Using Kaleidoscope Pro View Video Reference Calls [Part 2] View Video Planning, Prep, & Protocols for Mobile Acoustics View Video Processing Acoustic Data Using SonoBat View Video Working with Large Datasets [Part 1] View Video Navigating the Updated Acoustic Upload Templates View Video Reference Calls [Part 1] View Video Working with Large Datasets [Part 2] View Video Non-Acoustics Understanding Bats through Community Science View Video Updated Capture Upload Template/ Aligning with USFWS Permit Reporting View Video The NEW NABat Transportation Structure Upload Template View Video Using PIT Tags to Study Bats View Video All About Winter Colony Counts View Video Bats in Transportation Structures View Video Year in Review 2024: Year in Review View Video 2023: Year in Review View Video Reports & Background Documents A Plan for the North American Bat Monitoring Program Link to Resource Monitoring Trends in Bat Populations of the United States and Territories: Problems and Prospects Link to Resource State of the Bats - Conservation Status and Threats to North American Bats Link to Resource Assessing Bridges, Culverts, and Tunnels for Bat Presence and Use Link to Resource NABat: A Top-down, Bottom-up Solution to Collaborative Continental-scale Monitoring Link to Resource Acoustic Survey Guidance A Guide to Processing Bat Acoustic Data for the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) Link to Resource NABat Mobile Acoustic SOP 1: Locating and Establishing Mobile Transect Routes Link to Resource NABat Mobile Acoustic SOP 2: Field Season and Survey Preparation Link to Resource NABat Mobile Acoustic SOP 3: Conducting Mobile Transect Surveys Link to Resource NABat Guide to Acoustic Detector Settings Link to Resource Configuring AudioMoth for Bat Acoustic Surveys Link to Resource NABat AudioMoth Configuration [config] File Link to Resource Analyses Evaluating Evidence of Changing Regional Occupancy of Four Bat Species in Response to Forest Management Practices Link to Resource Hierarchical Mixture Models and High-Resolution Monitoring Data Can Inform Siting and Operational Strategies to Mitigate Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines Link to Resource Leveraging an Observed-Data Likelihood Improves the Use of Machine Learning Labels in Bayesian Hierarchical Model for Bioacoustic Data Link to Resource Multi-scale Predictors of Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) Occupancy in the U.S. Link to Resource Estimating disease prevalence from preferentially sampled, pooled data Link to Resource Integrated Distribution Modeling Resolves Asynchrony between Bat Population Impacts and Occupancy Trends through Latent Abundance Link to Resource Predicting Bat Roosts in Bridges Using Bayesian Additive Regression Trees Link to Resource A novel method for estimating pathogen presence, prevalence, load, and dynamics at multiple scales Link to Resource The State of Bats in North America Link to Resource Using Mobile Acoustic Monitoring and False-positive N-mixture Models to Estimate Bat Abundance and Population Trends Link to Resource Joint Spatial Modeling Bridges the Gap Between Disparate Disease Surveillance and Population Monitoring Efforts Informing Conservation of At-risk Bat Species Link to Resource Statistical assessment on determining local presence of rare bat species Link to Resource Status and Trends of North American Bats Summer Occupancy Analysis Link to Resource Analytical Assessment in Support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3-Bat Species Status Assessment Link to Resource Spatial Guassian Processes Improve Multi-species Occupancy Models When Range Boundaries are Uncertain and Nonoverlapping Link to Resource Coupling Validation Effort with In Situ Bioacoustic Data Improves Estimating Relative Activity and Occupancy for Multiple Species with Cross-Species Misclassifications Link to Resource The Scope and Severity of White-nose Syndrome on Hibernating Bats in North America Link to Resource Modelling Misclassification in Multi-species Acoustic Data When Estimating Occupancy and Relative Activity Link to Resource Data Releases Results and Code from NABat's Integrated Species Distribution and Trend Models for Hoary Bat and Silver-haired Bat (2025) Link to Resource NABat Knitted Grid and Multi-scale Grid Covariates (2025) Link to Resource Summer Roost Site Suitability Analyses of Four North American Bat Species in the Eastern United States (2024) Link to Resource NABat Bayesian Hierarchical Model for Winter Abundance Predicted Population Estimates (2023) Link to Resource Supplemental Results and Code from NABat Integrated Species Distribution Model for Tricolored Bat (2025) Link to Resource Extrapolated Offshore Occupancy Predictions for Three Bat Species (2025) Link to Resource NABat Predicted Northern Long-eared Bat Occupancy Probabilities (2024) Link to Resource Integrated Summer Species Distribution Model: Predicted Tricolored Bat Occupancy Probabilities (2023) Link to Resource NABat One Health (version 2.0, 2025) Link to Resource Supplemental Results from Using Mobile Acoustic Monitoring and False-positive N-mixture Models for Bat Abundance (2024) Link to Resource NABat Integrated Summer Species Distribution Model Predicted Tricolored Bat Occupancy Probabilities (version 1.1, 2024) Link to Resource NABat Grid-based Offshore Sampling Frame (2022) Link to Resource NABat Master Sample and Grid-based Sampling Frame (2018) Link to Resource Software & Code Releases NABat R Data Connection Package (version 1.2.1, 2025) Link to Resource NABat Acoustic ML (version 2.0.0, 2024) Link to Resource NABat R Data Connection Package (version 1.1.0, 2024) Link to Resource NABat Acoustic ML (version 1.0.1, 2022) Link to Resource Ecosystems-nabat-FPabund: software for fitting false-positive N-mixture models using NABat mobile acoustic data (version 1.0.0, 2024) Link to Resource Helpful Links NABat R Package (nabatr) NABat Grid Cell Finder Data Tools and Resources from Southeast Bat Hub Field App Options

Bats We Monitor Allen's Big-eared Bat Idionycteris phyllotis Read More Photo credit: Ernie Valdez Arizona Myotis Myotis occultus Read More Photo credit: Ernie Valdez Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus Read More Photo credit: Audrey Holstead Big Free-tailed Bat Nyctinomops macrotis Read More Photo credit: Richard Hoyer Brazilian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida brasiliensis Read More Photo credit: Ernest Valdez California Leaf-nosed Bat Macrotus californicus Read More Photo credit: Alan Harper California Myotis Myotis californicus Read More Photo credit: Alan Harper Canyon Bat Parastrellus hesperus Read More Photo credit: Dan Neubaum Cave Myotis Myotis velifer Read More Photo credit: J. Scott Altenbach Desert Red Bat Lasiurus frantzii Read More Photo credit: Bureau of Reclamation Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealis Read More Photo credit: Jordi Segers Eastern Small-footed Myotis Myotis leibii Read More Photo credit: Valerie Kearny, Arkansas State University Evening bat Nycticeius humeralis Read More Photo Credit: K. Leeker Florida bonneted bat Eumops floridanus Read More Photo credit: Florida Fish & Wildlife Fringed Myotis Myotis thysanodes Read More Photo credit: Pipe Spring NPS Gray Myotis Myotis grisescens Read More Photo credit: Dane Smith Greater Bonneted Bat Eumops perotis Read More Photo credit: BLM Hawaiian Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus semotus Read More Photo credit: Corinna Pinzari Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus Read More Photo credit: Jose Martinez-Fonseca Indiana Myotis Myotis sodalis Read More Photo credit: Dane Smith Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat Artibeus jamaicensis Read More Photo credit: Steven Brewer Lesser Long-nosed Bat Leptonycteris yerbabuenae Read More Photo credit: Alan Schmierer Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus Read More Photo credit: Jordi Segers Long-eared Myotis Myotis evotis Read More Photo credit: Dan Neubaum Long-legged Myotis Myotis volans Read More Photo credit: Paul Cryan Mexican Long-nosed Bat Leptonycteris nivalis Read More Photo credit: Winifred Frick, BCI Mexican Long-tongued Bat Choeronycteris mexicana Read More Photo credit: Patrick Randall Northern Long-eared Myotis Myotis septentrionalis Read More Photo credit: Andrea Schuhmann Northern Yellow Bat Lasiurus intermedius Read More Photo credit: Kpix Photo Pallas' Mastiff Bat Molossus molossus Read More Photo credit: Thomas Cuypers Pallid Bat Antrozous pallidus Read More Photo credit: BCI Menden Pictures Peter's Ghost-faced Bat Mormoops megalophylla Read More Photo credit: Jennifer Krauel Pocketed Free-tailed Bat Nyctinomops femorosaccus Read More Photo credit: Saguaro NPS Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus rafinesquii Read More Photo credit: Jason Slater, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Seminole Bat Lasiurus seminolus Read More Photo credit: Kathleen Smith, Florida FWCC Silver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivagans Read More Photo credit: Jose Martinez-Fonseca, NAU Southeastern Myotis Myotis austroriparius Read More Photo credit: Andrea Schuhmann Southern Yellow Bat Lasiurus ega Read More Photo credit: Arturo Munoz Southwestern Myotis Myotis auriculus Read More Photo credit: Bruce D. Taubert Spotted Bat Euderma maculatum Read More Photo credit: Paul Cryan Townsend's Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus townsendii Read More Photo credit: Ann Froschauer, USFWS Tricolored Bat Perimyotis subflavus Read More Photo credit: Andrea Schuhmann Underwood's Bonneted Bat Eumops underwoodi Read More Photo credit: J. Scott Altenbach Western Small-footed myotis Myotis ciliolabrum Read More Photo credit: Ian Maton Western Yellow Bat Lasiurus xanthinus Read More Photo credit: BLM California Yuma Myotis Myotis yumanensis Read More Photo credit: Dan Neubaum

Back to Search ERROR WARNING: If no Audio Recording Time is provided the Audio Recording Name must include a datetime in the format of "_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS" HOW TO RESOLVE: Enter missing required data based on the template's header rows—the third row indicates required status by field, and the second row lists data type restrictions. Entries listed in 'Audio Recording Name' field must include datetime suffix in the format '_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS' if the 'Audio Recording Time' field is left blank. Ensure each record includes values for all required fields before re-uploading. ADDED EXPLANATION: Surveys must include key fields that answer the "where, what, when, and who" questions: either a GRTS Cell ID or latitude/longitude to locate the survey, a Site Name to describe the place, survey start and end times, and the names of surveyors. Each survey type may also require a few additional fields. If required columns are missing entirely, the upload wizard will block the file. If required columns are present but individual rows lack values, those rows will be flagged while the rest of the file can load. Use the template's informational header rows to identify which fields are required and ensure each data entry row contains values for these fields before uploading.

Create Account Plan Project Collect Data Prep/Process Data Upload Data Data QA/QC Get Data Species Codes Quick Links Photo credit: Merlin Tuttle Quick Links to Resources Follow the links below to access helpful resources including guidance documents. Guidance documents Assessing Bridges, Culverts, and Tunnels for Bat Presence and Use Configure Audiomoth Processing acoustic files in multiple software Recommended Detector Settings Other resources Field App Options Nested NABat Grid-based Sampling Frame (50x50km; 10x10km; 1x1km resolutions) NABat Grid Cell Finder NABat Metadata Forms for Auto ID Software Property access request sample letter Tools and resources from the SE Bat Hub Winter roost field data form NABat R package NABat R Package (nabatr) TRAINING VIDEOS Getting Started Acoustic Surveying Processing Acoustic Data Data Prep & Uploading Community Perspectives Working w/ Large Datasets

Back to Search ERROR WARNING: Auto Id or Manual Id required for recording. HOW TO RESOLVE: Enter missing required data based on the template's header rows—the third row indicates required status by field, and the second row lists data type restrictions. Ensure each record includes values for all required fields before re-uploading. In this error instance, the 'Auto Id' or 'Manual Id' field is missing for a given recording. Example: The "Auto Id" field in the stationary acoustic template only allows entry of a controlled category listed in second header row. ADDED EXPLANATION: Surveys must include key fields that answer the "where, what, when, and who" questions: either a GRTS Cell ID or latitude/longitude to locate the survey, a Site Name to describe the place, survey start and end times, and the names of surveyors. Each survey type may also require a few additional fields. If required columns are missing entirely, the upload wizard will block the file. If required columns are present but individual rows lack values, those rows will be flagged while the rest of the file can load. Use the template's informational header rows to identify which fields are required and ensure each data entry row contains values for these fields before uploading.

NABat is a muli-national, collaborative conservation monitoring program aimed at understanding status and trends all 47 species of bats common to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. OUR NETWORK Fundamental to the success of NABat is the collaborative network upon which it stands. Our network of partners include local, federal, state, tribal and provincial agencies, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and industry experts who are collecting bat-related data across the continent. Connect with a Regional Bat Hub Hubs help facilitate local implementation of NABat and maximize benefit within the region. By joining a regional hub partners may receive more individual support to guide local survey efforts while maintaining the level of consistency necessary to meet the broader, programmatic goals of NABat. Learn More Join Our Community of Practice Join the NABat Central Coordination team and our continental network of partners as we virtually discuss the latest in research and analyses, updates to data collection and submission guidelines, programmatic updates, and so much more. Join CoP Learn About Our Network of Partners Visit the NABat Partner Portal Partners page to learn more about the organizations contributing data and expertise that is helping to advance our understanding of the status and trends of North American bat species. Partners Page Photo: Ivan Yates

Create Account Plan Project Collect Data Prep/Process Data Upload Data Data QA/QC Get Data Species Codes Resource Library COLLECT DATA Jump to... Capture Records Emergence Counts Internal Roost Counts Mobile Acoustic Surveys Stationary Acoustic Surveys Reference Calls Photo: Frank Tousley Stationary Acoustic Surveys The goal of stationary acoustic surveys is to capture the full scope of bat species diversity within a GRTS cell. This is accomplished through presence-absence sampling, meaning a single positive identification of each species is all that is required at each sampling location. Therefore, the priority of stationary acoustic sampling should be to acquire high-quality recordings that can be confidently identified, rather than focusing on recording a high volume of recordings. 1. Select GRTS cells to survey . Acquire landowner permission, if applicable. Find a sample property access request letter here . 2. Select sites to monitor. Each 10 x 10 km GRTS cell is comprised of four 5 x 5 km quadrants; users should place no more than 1 acoustic detector per quadrant and survey at least two quadrants per grid cell. Homogenous landscapes may only require two quadrants to capture the species diversity within a cell. If landscapes are heterogenous or unfamiliar to the user, place detectors in up to four quadrants to ensure the major habitat types are represented in sampling. Site selection is a multi-year commitment that should be diligently assessed by knowledgeable biologists using on-the-ground reconnaissance. Note: Aim for call diversity, not quantity. It may be necessary to place one or two detectors in habitats that may be used only by one or two species if those habitats are the most likely area to host those species 3. Prepare survey equipment. Most bat detectors are compatible with stationary acoustic monitoring; however, time-expansion detectors should not be used. To standardize recordings, recommended settings involve a two-second trigger window and a maximum file length of 15 seconds. 4. Conduct surveys. Monitoring should occur during the summer active period prior to the young becoming volant. This target period may vary with location or species. When possible, surveys should be conducted when weather conditions are optimal for bat activity. Each survey point should be sampled at least once per year, for a minimum of four consecutive nights. Surveys should last the entire night, from 15 minutes before sunset until 15 minutes after sunrise. 5. Review full NABat Stationary Acoustic Survey protocols in A plan for the North American Bat Monitoring Program (Chapter 4). Resources for Stationary Acoustic Surveys Acoustic Detector Settings Guide Using Audiomoth for Acoustic Surveys Audiomoth Configuration File Mobile Acoustic Surveys The goal of mobile acoustic surveys is to estimate the relative abundance of bat species within a GRTS cell. 1. Select GRTS cells to survey . Acquire landowner permission, if applicable. Find a sample property access request letter here . 2. Delineate a survey route. Routes should cover 25-48 km (~15-30 mi) on roads where a constant speed of 32 kph (20 mph) is possible with little to no stopping. Plan a route that covers the cell’s predominant habitat types, but avoid roads with heavy traffic (for safety) and dense forested corridors (for call quality). To ensure each bat recording is a unique encounter, avoid routes that loop back near previously surveyed areas. If unavoidable, aim for all route sections to be separated by > 100 m lateral distance. Note: Mobile transect routes should be targeted toward a single GRTS cell, but may have sections or an endpoint that extend beyond the GRTS cell boundary into an adjacent cell(s). 3. Prepare survey equipment. Acceptable bat detectors include full-spectrum (preferred), zero-cross, and frequency division. Zero-cross detectors that auto-level the noise floor should not be used, nor should time-expansion detectors. Directional microphones are preferred and should be affixed centrally on the vehicle rooftop, preferably aiming their cone of detection upwards. All recordings should be georeferenced. Most detector types are capable of writing GPS metadata, either through internal GPS mechanisms or through the attachment of accessory GPS units. Note: Because mobile transects should only be conducted during fair weather, microphone weatherproofing is not necessary and should not be used (for call quality). 4. Conduct surveys. Users should perform mobile surveys twice per year during the maternity season — ideally, the second survey will be conducted within a week of the first. The window of appropriate survey dates may vary based on the phenology of regional bat communities. To maintain consistency in subsequent years, future surveys should be conducted within one-two weeks of the original survey date. Begin mobile surveys 45 minutes after sunset. If the survey vehicle must stop for any reason, the detector should be paused until the survey resumes. Note: Ensure detectors are functional for the duration of the survey by generating an ultrasonic test noise (e.g., rubbing fingers together, jangling keys) at the microphone immediately after beginning and prior to ending the survey. 5. Review full NABat Mobile Acoustic Survey protocols in A plan for the North American Bat Monitoring Program (Chapter 5). Mobile Acoustic Transect Standard Operating Procedure Locating and Establishing Routes Field Season and Survey Preparation Conducting Mobile Transect Surveys Download + Link Mobile Transect Route to Survey Event Download Transect Route Link Transect Route to Survey Roost Count Surveys at a Glance The goal of roost count surveys is to estimate population abundance in gregarious species or to record species whose call characteristic are not well-suited for acoustic monitoring. Bat roost sites can be sensitive locations. NABat offers multiple levels of data security to accommodate project's with site security concerns. Disclaimer: NABat recognizes that many ongoing roost/colony monitoring programs consist of years, or decades of effort. NABat guidelines encourage survey effort consistency to create comparable datasets; however, it is not recommended that existing colony monitoring programs significantly alter their current protocols unless data reliability is expected to dramatically improved. Consistent, long-term monitoring data is more important that full integration of efforts into the NABat framework. Internal Roost Counts 1. Assess the need for an internal roost count. Entering a roost may negatively impact bats and should be avoided when possible. An internal roost count may be appropriate if emergence counts cannot be conducted or cannot reliably identify a roost’s species, or if data needs require winter-specific population estimates to assess threats associated with hibernacula (e.g., WNS). To ensure reproductive success is not compromised in maternity colonies, internal surveys of summer roosts are not recommended unless absolutely necessary. 2. Establish a survey sample design. If a regular sampling interval can be maintained (≤ 3 years between surveys), it may be most appropriate to monitor all colonies in a region. Alternatively, GRTS cell selection protocol can be used to prioritize monitoring when the number of colonies exceeds monitoring resources in a region. 3. Conduct surveys. Whenever possible, winter surveys should be conducted between late January and early March. To minimize disturbance, conduct surveys no more than once per season — some species-specific guidance may recommend surveying once every other season. If internal roost counts must be conducted in the summer, surveys should occur during the final two weeks of pregnancy. Entering roosts with non-volant pups incurs a high risk of pup mortality. Multiple-observer surveys are recommended to minimize bias in abundance estimates. However, it is critical that data collected in this manner be independent (i.e., no communication between observers). Surveyors must also consider that duplicated effort has the potential to increase disturbance within a roost and should make every effort to minimize disturbance. Digital photography is the preferred method for internal roost counts as it minimizes time spent in a roost and creates a permanent record of the survey. Performing a visual survey in tandem with digital photography generally results in a reliable roost count. Cameras must be capable of producing clear images where individual bats are easily distinguished. Cluster abundance may be estimated by extrapolating bat density estimates over the cluster area; in such cases, packing density should be estimated for each cluster and for multiple subsets of large clusters. Note: It is crucial that large roosts be subdivided into named sections and bat counts be attributed to their respective section. Spatial inconsistency between surveys often renders incomparable data; however, comparisons may still be drawn at the roost section level when such data exists. Emergence Counts 1. Establish a survey sample design. If it is practical to monitor all known colonies in a region each season, it may be most appropriate to continue monitoring all colonies. Alternatively, GRTS cell selection protocol can be used to prioritize monitoring when colony prevalence exceeds monitoring resources in a region. 2. Assess whether an emergence count will result in accurate estimates at a roost. Emergence counts are appropriate when all roost exits are known and can be monitored simultaneously. Conditions must allow individual emerging bats to be identified; additionally, species compositions and relative abundances of the roost must be known beforehand. 3. Conduct surveys. Emergence counts are most productive during late pregnancy or early lactation, prior to young becoming volant. Performing two-three emergence counts during this period typically produces reliable data. In most scenarios, it is appropriate to begin monitoring a roost 30 minutes before sunset and continue at least 10 minutes after the last bat emerges or until it is too dark to see. However, larger colonies may emerge in pulses with periods > 10 minutes between emerging bats. Capture NABat encourage submission of capture data. User capture data may facilitate the interpretation of acoustic and roost count surveys by aiding verification of a given species for a given area. NABat does not specify guidance protocols regarding the capture or handling of bats. Please refer to your state/province/territory guidelines, and/or your local USFWS local field office. Reference Calls Bat reference calls are acoustic recordings of bat echolocations, social calls, etc. where the identity of the recorded species is established through reliable identification methods, e.g., genetics, capture, etc. Despite the NABat database representing over 130 million bat acoustic records (and counting), there is still a pressing need for verified, curated reference recordings. These bat reference calls are needed to help improve the utility and reliability of acoustic monitoring as a tool for studying bats and essential for advancing our understanding of how species and populations are fairing across North America. Reference Call Guidance Reference Calls

5201cc4e-e608-421f-8d3e-be9d173fee44 Photo credit: Dan Neubaum USFWS Next WNS & Listing Status Myotis yumanensis Order: Chiroptera Suborder: Yangochiroptera Family: Vespertilionidae Call characteristics: High frequency caller (~50 kHz range) Weight 1/4 oz (6 g) Body Length 1 1/2 - 1 7/8 in (3.9 - 4.8 cm) There are various sources for bat species range maps including IUCN , NatureServe , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ECOS , and the National Atlas of the United States . US SWAP National List IUCN Red List Canada Species at Risk Mexico Yuma Myotis The Yuma Myotis is a smaller bat with black to reddish-brown or light brown fur. Habitat includes a variety of forested areas, thorny scrub, and deserts. Roosts are commonly located in buildings and underneath bridges, however, yuma Myotis also roosts in caves and abandoned mines. Maternity roosts have been found in tree cavities, and single males have been observed in abandoned cliff swallow nests. The yuma Myotis prefers to forage over water and will consume a variety of insects, including moths, froghoppers, beetles, midges, mosquitos, and muscid flies. The loss of critical habitat and the fungal disease white-nose syndrome threaten the health of this species. Information used to populate this page was obtained from the following sources: NatureServe Explorer United States Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Conservation Online System Bat Conservation International Bat Profiles National Atlas of the United States. (2011). North American Bat Ranges, 1830-2008. National Atlas of the United States. Available at: http://purl.stanford.edu/pz329xp4277. Taylor, M. 2019. Bats: an illustrated guide to all species. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books. Conservation Status Previous Next

NABat is a muli-national, collaborative conservation monitoring program aimed at understanding status and trends all 47 species of bats common to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Network In addition to collecting and uploading data to NABat , we offer a number of ways to get involved in the broader NABat community. Check out the opportunities below! Looking for more guidance or want 1:1 support? We offer training webinars throughout the year on a variety of topics. Check out our Events page for upcoming dates. For more individualized support, contact a member of our Technical Outreach Team or Book an Appointment . Connect with a regional hub Hubs help facilitate local implementation of NABat and maximize benefit within the region. By joining a regional hub partners may receive more individual support to guide local survey efforts while maintaining the level of consistency necessary to meet the broader, programmatic goals of NABat. Learn more > Join our community of practice Come join us during our monthly calls as we highlight current efforts by partners and present on the latest research and updates to NABat. Hear from the NABat Coordination Team and get your questions answered. Contact us to be notified of upcoming meetings. Contact us > Sign up for the newsletter Stay up to date on what is happening with NABat and the greater bat community. Learn about upcoming events, relevant publications, resources, and products being produced by our team. Sign up > Events No events at the moment