The goal of this class was to review how to use remote acoustic recording devices to record bat vocalizations. The talk concluded with a hike to use equipment and identify bat species in active flight.

Bats provide ecosystem services to human societies such as being indicators of ecosystem health and providing control over problem insect species.

In the state of Pennsylvania, there are 7 species of bats that are of conservation concern, with 3 state listed as endangered and 2 species protected under the Endangered Species Act. Remote acoustic survey efforts are a cost-effective way to survey for rare bats in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Aaron Haines is Certified Wildlife Biologist and Associate Professor of Biology at Millersville University.