Bat species found back in Wisconsin for first time since 1950s

Evening bat found west of Beloit in maternity colony

For the first time in since 1954, Wisconsin researchers have discovered the return of the evening bat.

The Department of Natural Resources found the bats living in the hollow of trees in Avon Bottoms State Natural Area, just west of Beloit, Wis.

“We put a small radio transmitter on it and tracked her back to her maternity colony, where she was roosting with 100 of her sister evening bats,” DNR species management expert Owen Boyle said. “Maternity colonies are where female bats group in large numbers to raise their pups.”

Unlike the bats that live in caves year round, these tree bats will migrate south for the winter, Boyle added. Because of that, it makes them less vulnerable to deadly white nose syndrome.

Though bats may have a frightening stigma, they should be welcome guests to those outdoor enthusiasts.

“Bats are nature’s pest controllers,” Boyle said. “They eat, literally, tons and tons of insects. That’s the only food that they eat.”