This primary objective of this project was to use mist-net surveys and radio-tracking to document the spatial and temporal use and distribution of bats in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
Six net sites were selected across the project area totaling 24 net nights. Mist-netting followed guidelines set forth by the USFWS and the Indiana Bat Recovery Team to survey summer habitat for the presence/absence of the federally endangered Indiana bat.
Survey efforts resulted in three bats being captured comprised of two species, including an Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and two red bats (Lasiurus borealis).
Daytime tracking to roost trees was conducted for 7 days. Radio tracking efforts resulted in locating a new maternity colony in Tippecanoe County. One primary maternity roost tree and two secondary (satellite) roost trees were documented.
In order to determine probable home-ranges during peak foraging periods, tracking was performed each night by three teams from the time the radio-tagged bat left roost‑trees for at least five hours.
Foraging locations of radio-tagged bats were estimated using LOAS 4.0 (Ecological Software Solutions). The Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) in LOAS was the statistical method used for calculating foraging point location, which resulted in a documenting and mapping the foraging home range of the radio-tagged Indiana bat. Project managers were able to use this data to design the wind energy facility in such a way to minimize impacts to this species while maximizing energy production.