Get to Know The Bats
In 2002, the Peachland Historic Primary School closed its doors, ending a long chapter of educating local youth. For almost a decade, the building stood empty and fell into disrepair, sparking fears that it would be demolished. But in 2011, a surprising discovery changed everything. A maternal bat colony had been living in the school for a decade. These bats play a crucial role in keeping the waterfront mosquito-free, a fact that saved the historical school from being torn down and transformed the perception of bats from nuisances to treasured members of the community.
The bats in the historic primary school are mostly females and their pups. They spend May through October here, hibernating in caves across the lake during winter. In spring, they return to Peachland to give birth, and the pups learn to fly right here. Despite their importance, bats often suffer from a bad reputation due to misinformation. To combat this, the Bat Education and Ecological Protection Society (BEEPS) was formed, promoting bat conservation and education through various initiatives, including "bat chats" and public inquiries about living with bats.
Bats in the Schoolhouse Attic
The Peachland Historic Primary School, built in 1908, replaced the Little Schoolhouse from 1898 and served the community for nearly a century. After its closure in 2002, the building faced an uncertain future until a pivotal decision in 2009 preserved it for community use. The renovation, funded by provincial and federal grants, the district of Peachland, and local donors, transformed the building into a community hub, housing the boys and girls club, visitor centre, local artists, and of course, the bats.
It was during this restoration process that the significance of the bat colony became clear. Wildlife biologist Aaron Reid's site visit in 2010 revealed a maternity colony of up to 2000 bats. Initially thought to be Yuma Myotis, species testing in 2016 and 2018 identified two separate maternity colonies: Little Brown Myotis and Yuma Myotis. These bats, mostly females with their pups, use the attic as their summer roost, contributing to Peachland's eco-system by controlling the mosquito population.
Life Cycle and Behaviour
Bats are mammals, giving birth to live young and feeding them milk. Newborn bats are tiny, about the size of a thumbnail, and cling to their mothers for the first three weeks. During this time, non-nursing bats act as babysitters while mothers forage. Amazingly, mother bats can identify their pups' calls among hundreds of others. By 3-6 weeks, pups begin to fly and hunt insects alongside their mothers.
Peachland's bats consume a huge number of flying insects, including mosquitoes, helping to keep the community mosquito-free. They navigate and hunt using echolocation, emitting calls and listening to the echoes to determine the location and type of objects around them. Some species, like the Yuma Myotis, are known to live over 20 years, with records of Little Brown Bats living up to 42 years.
Bat Watching and Conservation Efforts
Each evening at dusk, visitors can watch the bats emerge from the dormers of the historic schoolhouse, heading to the lake to hunt. This spectacle, coupled with their mosquito control, has made bats a beloved part of Peachland. BEEPS plays a vital role in monitoring and educating the public about these bats. Through corporate sponsorship and fundraising, BEEPS installed a camera in the attic, streaming live footage of bat activity.
The BatCam project provides a unique glimpse into the lives of bats, drawing interest from visitors and researchers alike. BEEPS conducts regular Bat Counts during summer evenings, inviting the community to help count the bats as they exit the roost. This data is shared with scientific and conservation groups to better understand and protect these important creatures.
High-Tech Monitoring
To maintain accurate data, BEEPS continually upgrades its monitoring equipment. An ANABAT Roost Logger records bat calls at and around the roost sites, while Hobo Temperature & Humidity Loggers track environmental conditions in the attic. Upgraded infrared video cameras provide close-up views of the bats, broadcasting live online. Portable echometers and acoustic recorders identify bat species and numbers by their calls, enhancing our understanding of the colony's health and behaviour.
Conclusion
Through these efforts, BEEPS ensures the well-being of Peachland's bat colony while offering educational and engaging experiences for visitors. The bats of Peachland have saved a historic building and continue to play a vital role in the local ecosystem.
