Press Releases
06/16/2023
DEEP and White Memorial Conservation Center Launch Bat Cam
Observe a Live Big Brown Bat Colony in Litchfield Barn
(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division and White Memorial Conservation Center have worked together to establish a “Bat Cam” in a Litchfield barn. The barn, on the White Memorial property, is where female big brown bats give birth and raise their young every year.
The Bat Cam was officially unveiled at a Friday evening event with bat-themed family activities and presentations from bat experts. Additionally, the ceremony provided the opportunity to watch bats fly from the barn at dusk as they embarked on their nightly feeding frenzy.
“Bats’ ability to control insects is vital to a healthy ecosystem and economy,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “DEEP’s leading role in the study and protection of these misunderstood creatures benefits Connecticut’s agricultural community and forests. Tonight’s family-friendly event is a wonderful celebration of scientific understanding of these fascinating creatures, and I hope everyone checks out the online visuals from the new Bat Cam.”
The completed Bat Cam installation has been providing a sneak peek into the amazing life of bats without disturbing them. The DEEP (https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Live-Bats-Count-Bat-Cam) and White Memorial Conservation Center (https://whitememorialcc.org/bats-count/) websites have livestreams from the Bat Cam where people can observe the bats throughout the day and as they enter and exit the barn each evening.
Currently, DEEP is conducting emergence counts – counting individual bats as they fly out of the barn to go hunt for bugs – each evening and invites volunteers to participate. Those interested in helping with this long-term monitoring program can review a user manual and find a datasheet on the livestream webpages.
Videos and updates on the bats and the Bat Cam can also be found throughout the year on the CT Fish and Wildlife Facebook page and the White Memorial Conservation Center Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/whitememorialcc).
Batty About Bats
Connecticut is home to nine different bat species – three of them are considered tree bats and the rest are called “cave” bats because they hibernate during the winter, often in caves or mines. Cave bats have been impacted by white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungus that has reduced many of the once abundant species to the point where all but one – the big brown bat – have been listed as state endangered and two are also protected under the federal endangered species act. Although the big brown bat remains common in our state, it is still listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan and remains a focus of monitoring and conservation planning. The Bats Count! Bat Cam is one monitoring tool that will give biologists a window into the life and activities of an active big brown bat maternity colony, while also providing the opportunity for students and others to follow along and learn about this fascinating species.
The “Bat Cam” project is being partially funded through the Endangered Species, Natural Area Preserves, and Watchable Wildlife Fund (listed as “Endangered Species/Wildlife” on your state income tax form) to provide a watchable wildlife opportunity. This fund was created in 1993 by the State Legislature to allow Connecticut state income taxpayers to voluntarily donate portions of their tax refund to support efforts aimed at helping Connecticut's endangered species, natural area preserves, and watchable wildlife.
Photo: Photo of a big brown bat (Paul Benjunas/CT DEEP Wildlife Division)
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110