looduskalender.ee

It is a great opportunity to enjoy a late summer night  this weekend when the mid-day heat has receded a little. Estonian Chiroptera, the "handwinged”, were introduced last week in Looduskalender, so memory can be refreshed if needed before the evening walk.

 
July 16, at 10:30 pm – late night bat excursion in Kadriorg, meeting place at the swan pond, by the sun dial.

July 17, at 10:30 pm – late night bat excursion at Shnell’s pond, meeting place at the fountain.

July 18, at 10:30 pm – late night bat excursion in Kadriorg, meeting place at the swan pond, by the sun dial.

 

About the bat excursions and bat detectors!

Three late night bat excursions are listed in the events schedule for the European Bat Night. And surely some readers will ask, what will happen there and why go to a dark park? Here is a background to some of what will take place on the excursions.

At the excursion bat enthusiasts will talk about these fascinating and secretive animals, their way of life and habitats, and answer questions. To facilitate finding the bats they will bring special apparatus – bat detectors. With these it is possible to hear the ultrasound signals that flying bats send out and that are otherwise inaudible to human ears. By the sounds from the detector the species of bat can be determined.

At the end of the excursion surely all participants will be convinced that bats aren’t soundless and voiceless night fliers, but that their world is filled with interesting and varied sounds that help them to orientate, find food and socialize.

The Summer Bat Count can be arranged independently; taking part is easy and takes only half an hour of your time. On a suitable evening choose an observation point with a clear view and without too much illumination in a garden, a park or on the banks of a lake or pond. Observe the bats there for at least 30 minutes. Note the largest number of bats seen at one time, try to describe their size and flight view. The results should be entered on the electronic questionnaire at http://nahkhiired.blogspot.com