Subject: Re: bats
Date: Aug 29 13:54:05 1995
From: Dennis Paulson - dpaulson at ups.edu


>A friend and I were chatting a few nights ago about the apparent lack
>of bats in Seattle. Neither of us have noted any bats since we arrived
>in the Puget sound area. Any good suggested local "batting" spots ?
>I would be especially interested in seeing the "Big Brown" as it
>seems to be the only one which I could ID by sight.
>
>Neil J. Fergusson

Neil, we have bats over our house most warm evenings in the summer, not
continually in sight but a fly-over every once in a while. Both Myotis and
big brown. They may use the Thornton Creek drainage, which is behind the
house.

I think over Lake Washington, especially protected coves, would be a good
place to look.

I agree there aren't many bats here. The area west of the Cascades is the
poorest place in the lower 48 for insects (and thus bats), as well as all
other ectothermic ("cold-blooded") groups of animals. I miss the richness
of such creatures from when I was growing up in Florida.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416