Microbats — Gosford City Council

Microbats  Microchiropteran Bats

 

Bats are an important component of Australia's fauna, constituting about 30% of our native mammal species. All bats are grouped into the Order Chiroptera (Bats). They are divided into two main groups; Megachiropterans (flying foxes/fruit Bats) and Microchiropterans (mainly small insectivorous bats).1

At dusk various species of micro-bats can be observed flying over or around eucalypt canopies or throughout the edges or tracks of bushland areas. These small bats display a rapid, jerky almost haphazard flight while foraging for flying insects from dusk throughout the night. Specialist methods of surveys using electronic call detection recorders and harp traps or mist nests are required to identify what species are found at particular sites.

Threats to Survival

 

• Disturbance to colonies, roost sites and maternity caves.
• Predation by feral cats.
• Clearing and fragmentation of habitat.
• Removal of tree hollows.
• Competition for tree hollows by Common Myna.
• Use of pesticides.
• Fire.
• Reduction in stream water flows quality and quantity.

 

Management Issues

 

Protection and improvement of roosting habitat, including hollows, caves and dense foliage.

 

Retention or establishment of regional and local corridors for foraging, breeding and roosting in the semi-urban to urban landscape.

 

Erection of roost boxes in suitable habitat.

 

Creekline revegetation to provide suitable foraging habitat near waterways.

 

Microbats — Gosford City Council is the source document