When I think of bats, I automatically think of the now-ancient Batman television series from the 1960's.
DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-BATMAN!!!!!! Here's the music! Has it really been that long?!?
Bats are useful to gardeners and non-gardeners, too. Bat populations can act as a reflection or indicator of environmental quality and habitat diversity. I think bats are a good thing, in general, but before I decided to get all fired up about encouraging MORE bats to move into my general vicinity I'd thought I might need to learn a little more about them. In fact, this cute Calvin comic just about sums up my feelings as I began this article!
Bats! Nature's Bug Patrol from The Calgary Explorer is a gentle introduction to the softer side of bats and I think you will enjoy it as much as I did. In fact, it reminds me of some of the bat lectures I've been to, where rehabilitators brought bats to "show and tell" sessions as a public education effort.
Next, of course, is Bat Conservation International. This is an extensive and definite "Must" site. I listed it when I began at Suite 101 and it has stayed on my list of More Web Sites ever since. This site is upgraded and expanded all the time and has excellent information. You can find myriad resources and connections here, from basic bat facts and education materials to information about serious research projects and listings of bat experts. This site is geared toward both amateurs and professionals -- and YES they even have information about bat houses!
Bat Conservation International has long offered bat house plans and instructions for how and where best to place them so they will successfully attract and shelter bats. Apparently, there is a lot more to it than just hanging up a "bat box" somewhere! Scientists are still studying the best ways to get good results. You might wish to participate in the North American Bat House Research Project which is sponsored by Bat Conservation International. This could be a great family or group project!
One home bat enthusiast has gone to great lengths to describe his personal bat house experiences AND to provide an incredible list of links to bat information on the Internet. The Buzbee Bat House is an awesome experience. It links to sites covering everything from bat echolocation to fourth graders' bat poetry. And so I defer to this site for the "list of all lists" to links on this subject!
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