I was going to be a Silver-haired Bat Fan a few years ago, after encountering one. But then I saw reference to rabies in this species. It might be a good idea to Google, or etc, rabies vsv Silver-hared bats.

Phil Hotlen
Bellingham, WA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Sandelin" <floriferous at msn.com>
To: "tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Sunday, February 7, 2010 11:14:49 AM
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Is it early for bats?


Its hard to quantify this but Silver haired bats fly slower than say, Big Brown or other bats. They have a distinctive sort grizzled silver fur on their back (sort of like my beard I guess) and they are noticeably paler underside than topside. However its not very common to be able to see any of this in a swirling dipping bat unless you happen to magically get one in your bins for the brief second before it right turns out of your view. I have found them in the winter under Cedar bark before so they are around and if I were a bat I'd be active these days, lots of tasty bugs up and at em with this warmth. I had a very handsome Noctuid moth at my window last night, big one....good bat food.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish County WA



From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Ed Swan
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 5:02 PM
To: tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Is it early for bats?



Just now I looked up in our clearing in the woods and saw a bat with a 5-6" wing span and 3-4" long and fairly chunky. Is it early for them to be back and is that enough of a description to tell which species?

Ed Swan
Vashon Island

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