No Bats in the Belfrey

This was sent to me by WCA Member Dennis Havel, our Pantherkill Road Coorespondent:

The Pantherkill Report

BATS DYING IN NEW YORK

Recent reports from New York wildlife officials have indicated a massive die-off of bats in New York due to a fungus known as "white-nose syndrome". Bat counts in hibernation caves reveal a 90% decline in bat population since last year.

A resident on Pantherkill Road here in Woodland Valley recently told me of his encounter with bats on his property who were behaving strangely; flying erratically around him and falling to the ground at four o'clock on a sunny afternoon! Odd behavior for night-feeding bats normally only active at night.

Last night, I experimented in my yard by shining a bright halogen light into the night sky which always draws hordes of insects followed by dozens of hungry bats. The insects came as usual but not one bat was seen.

Among other things, bats are essential for controlling mosquitoes as well as moths and other flying insects. If the white-nose syndrome has hit the bats here in the Valley, we may be in for a mosquito infested Summer.

The DEC has requested that residents report any unusual behavior by bats.

For more information, CLICK HERE
Or read this article in the NY Times. Bats Perish, No One Knows Why.

Dennis Havel
Pantherkill Road