Bat Inventory Course - Mistnet Capture
Location: Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Lillooet Campus
Cost: $1800 CAD
Dates: 20 - 26 July, 2017
Topics Include:
6 nights mistnetting of bats (weather-dependent)
6 days classroom, plus 1 day in field
Species that have been captured in this area in previous inventories:
Spotted bat
Western small-footed myotis
Fringed myotis
Long-eared myotis
Big brown bat
Little brown myotis
Yuma myotis
California myotis
Hoary bat
Silver-haired bat
Long-legged myotis
Townsend's big-eared bat
Classroom Topics
Principles of species identification
Key = bats of BC
Capture basics
-principles of capture
-placement of traps
-net handling
-bat removal techniques
Mistnetting essentials
-species-specific placements and configurations
-species-specific strategies - temporal and spatial
-effective configurations
-weather considerations
-seasonal considerations
-custom set-ups (e.g. belly-boat, floating nets, hanging nets, canopy nets)
-types of nets
-net repair
Processing Essentials
-measurements (FA, ear, leg, thumb)
-reproductive status
-DNA sampling - swabs and biopsies
-e-gap (adults vs juveniles)
-ectoparasites
-toothclass
-banding
-transmitter attachment
-acoustics
-UV light for Pd
WNS protocol - decontamination and surveillance techniques
Basic Bat Biology and Ecology
-foraging habitats and behaviours
-roosting habitats and behaviours
-reproductive stages
-influence of sexes
-torpor/thermoregulation
-roost selection
-echolocation
Acoustic reference calling of bats
Case study: conducting a bat inventory
Q and A, and FAQ
Overview of bat detectors, with hands-on at net sites (including reference calling).
Other inventory methods
-radiotelemetry (applying transmitters, tracking)
-harp traps
-acoustic monitoring
Tentative Schedule (subject to change)
Day 1:
-9:00 am to 3:30 pm classroom
-5:30 pm to ~1:00 am netting in field
Days 2 - 6:
-11:30 am to 3:00 pm classroom
-5:00 pm to ~1:00 am netting in field
Day 7:
-12:00 pm to 3:00 pm radiotracking in field
Attendees must bring:
-headlamp (at least one), good for distance (bright), and all batteries they will need. Brand new if coming from Washington or from the SW mainland or from eastern NA; but well decontaminated otherwise.
-optional: leather gloves that fit tight but allow finger mobility (e.g. deerhide) and are brand new or never used on bats before.
-small backpack or hip bag that can be easily decontaminated
-large-medium backpack for carrying gear
-a change of field clothes including any coat and boots/shoes, as the clothing worn in the field cannot be worn in vehicles; eg. arrive at site, change, and then change again at end of night. OR arrive in clean field clothes, and change at end of night.
-clean hip/chestwaders and rubber boots
-optional: coveralls (it may be too hot for these)
-optional: hardhat/caving helmet (a mine may be accessed, TBA)
-Attendees are strongly encouraged to gradually change sleep patterns prior to the course, generally not going to sleep until midnight at the earliest and getting up around 9 am or later.
-Attendees MUST show proof rabies vaccination or sufficient blood titre within the past 2 years. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO HANDLE BATS WITHOUT THIS.
-Food is not supplied in this course, and breaks during the classroom day will be short, so plan to bring snacks – after Day 1 note that specific meal-times will become less obvious as the course goes along!
-A computer (PC) is strongly recommended to visualize and process acoustic recordings of bats
-participants should bring at least 3 boxes of disposable latex, or vinyl gloves of the appropriate size for them
-because mistnets are easily snagged, please consider your field clothing carefully: avoid shirts that have buttons on sleeves, bags/backpacks with buckles, etc.
Nearest Major Airport:
Kamloops Airport http://www.kamloopsairport.com/
Local Accommodations:
Many local accommodations and campgrounds are listed here.
(While there are free camping opportunities in the area, remember that Lillooet is very hot in the summer and so you will need to have sufficient shade to allow you to sleep in during mornings.)
Cancellation
Cancellation with full refund is available until June 20, 2017.
WCSC reserves the right to cancel the course up to 30 days before the start date.
