Spooks in the rock pile

We were surprised to find Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) up and around in November when the weather is cool.

Those magnificent ears are hard to mistake for any other species out here.

However, below 62 degrees F most big-ears are lethargic.

Maybe mild temperatures called them out of their caves.

December 1 was the last night a big-ear swooped into the recess.

(Pssst! Guess what? this one is a boy!)


Reference


Barbour, R.W. and W.H. Davis. 1969. Bats of America. University of Kentucky Press, Lexington

Poison Water guzzlers--predators

The only predators that visited Poison Water were bats, and Townsend's big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii), seen here, was a new record for our species list.

It didn't show up at the sandstone cave. 

The big-eared bat is most often found roosting in caves and mine tunnels, and is not regarded as a common species, though large roosts of several hundred bats are occasionally found. 

It is also a late flier, beginning to forage well after sunset.  

It's hard to believe and a bit of a mystery, but no bobcat, coyote, gray fox, bear, or mountain lion stuck its head into Poison Water to face the camera trap. 

Nor any striped skunks. 

In summertime in the Sierra Nevada foothills, I've camera trapped striped skunks tanking up two hours before sun set. 

Perhaps 4 days just wasn't enough time, but I would have expected at least to see a gray fox or a skunk.

We need to do more camera trapping at Poison Water.