Subject: News release for review & approval
 

Contact: Mark A. Hart (520) 388-4445(o)/ (520) 282-0978

Public Information Officer, AGFD
Arizona Game and Fish Department

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release, June 29, 2011
Nighttime Hummingbird Feeder Bat Monitoring Project resumes for 2011

Lesser-long-nosed-bat visiting an Aspects Excel Hummzinger & Oriole feeder. It offers bats the easiest access without creating any sticky mess or spillage.

  

TUCSON, Ariz - The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation from the Town of Marana and Bat Conservation International, are seeking help from the public as the Nighttime Hummingbird Feeder Bat Monitoring Project resumes for 2011.

Most of Arizona's 28 bat species eat insects, but the federally endangered Lesser long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae), and the Arizona species of concern Mexican long-tongued bats (Choeronycteris mexicana), drink nectar from hummingbird feeders, and also eat pollen and fruits from plants such as the saguaro and agave. In years past, citizen scientists have volunteered numerous hours each summer to monitor their hummingbird feeders for those two bats. Such observations, including photos, provide valuable information that allows for better understanding the of bats behaviors.

The bats migrate north from Mexico and arrive in southern Arizona as the Saguaro cactus and agave begin to bloom, traveling throughout southern Arizona.

"If you enjoy watchable wildlife and sitting on your porch during summer evenings, please consider volunteering your time for this worthy cause," said AGFD Wildlife Specialist Shawn Lowery.

The goals of the project are to understand when these species arrive in southern Arizona, determine foraging habits and movement patterns, and document when the migratory species depart Arizona. (Typically in Tucson these bats generally arrive by mid-August and depart as late as late-October or early-November.)

Those interested in participating should visit the official website sponsored by the Town of Marana, www.marana.com/bats. The website allows participants to sign up as volunteers and to download information about this year's monitoring protocol.

For additional information, please contact:

Mark A. Hart
Information & Education Program Manager
Arizona Game & Fish Department
555 N. Greasewood Drive
Tucson, AZ 85745
office (520) 388-4445
fax (520) 628-5376
Mhart@azgfd.gov

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