AN UPDATE ON WHITE NOSE SYNDROME IN BATS AND MORE INFO FROM THE NYSDEC--PLUS BONUS ARTICLE: BATS AND WIND TURBINES

For those who don't know....White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a devastating fungal disease that has killed unprecedented numbers of hibernating bats in eastern North America.

The first evidence of WNS was documented in photographs from New York State in 2006. Here's the latest from the NYSDEC:

2025--Wildlife, Fish, and Marine Life Newsletter
A Day in the Life: Wildlife Staff Surveys Local Bat Populations

Earlier this year, DEC Wildlife staff collaborated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to survey bat populations in Central New York (DEC Region 7). Wildlife staff assisted with identifying and counting bat species found in various caves throughout the area.

During the surveys, the team observed many little brown bats and one Indiana bat, an endangered species in New York State. One reason Indiana bat populations are declining is due to the emergence of white nose syndrome, a fungal disease affecting hibernating bats.

DEC and partners conduct bat surveys to monitor endangered species, identify the prevalence of white nose syndrome, and understand species population dynamics to help to restore native species throughout the state. The team always takes extra caution to minimally disturb bats during surveys.

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And now a note from your Editor at Everything Croton:

--Take care of bats
--Reduce disturbance to natural bat habitats around your home (e.g., reduce outdoor lighting, minimize tree clearing, protect streams and wetlands).
--Construct homes for bats; see more here
--Or you can purchase ready-made bathouses at FEED THE BIRDS, 326 S. RIVERSIDE AVENUE, 862-4700...and check out the officially-sanctioned 'Bat Conservation International' dual-chamber bat house. Can host a couple of hundred bats! Made for Feed the Birds in PA.

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN this 2019 article for your consideration: A New Deterrent System Could Help Save Bats From Wind Turbines...by Mary Bates, PACIFIC STANDARD---As the use of wind energy grows, so does a troubling and unanticipated side effect. Researchers estimate that hundreds of thousands of bats are killed by wind turbines each year in North America alone. READ MORE AT https://psmag.com/environment/jamming-echolocation-could-help-save-the-bats