Discover the secrets of bats – State Forests invite you this weekend

Did you know that a single bat can catch up to 3,000 mosquitoes in one night? These flying mammals hide many fascinating secrets, and their bad reputation is completely undeserved. You will be able to see it for yourself this coming Saturday during meetings with chiropterologists organized in forest districts across the country.

Bats in Poland need help

Out of about 1,400 bat species worldwide, 28 live in Poland – all of them protected. Some species must not be disturbed or photographed in colonies and wintering sites. The largest of the native bats is the noctule (Nyctalus noctula), with a wingspan reaching up to 46 cm; the smallest – the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) and the pygmy pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) – are only about 4 cm long, which is less than a house mouse!

None of the bat species living in Poland build their own nests. They usually choose caves, attics, cellars, tree hollows, abandoned houses and towers, as well as specially prepared bat boxes. Their survival therefore largely depends on human activity. And it is worth helping them, because their role in controlling insect populations is important and, unfortunately, too often underestimated.

Protecting the sleeping bat

Bats are the only mammals whose forelimbs evolved into wings – featherless, but made of highly elastic membranes. Apart from flying, many species use them to wrap themselves during hibernation, naturally in an upside-down position. Unfortunately, it is precisely the wintering period that exposes colonies to the greatest danger. Individuals prematurely awakened from hibernation will not find enough insects in the environment and may die of hunger.

For several years now, projects aimed at protecting the most endangered bat species have been carried out in Poland. One such initiative, funded by the LIFE Program, is the LIFE PODKOWIEC PLUS: back to the forest project, which includes building special towers and transitional shelters for these flying insect-eaters.

This year, summer shelters were erected in forest districts such as Prudnik and Krościenko, and an inspection three months after construction showed that they are 100% occupied. In the Rymanów Forest District, the first of ten winter towers planned for southern Poland is also being built. Each structure will be 13 meters tall and connected to an artificial underground wintering site.

Forest upside down

For almost 30 years, the International Bat Night has been celebrated across Europe on the last weekend of August. The initiative, launched by the EUROBATS organization, aims to support the protection of flying mammals and to combat harmful stereotypes that often lead to aggression and ignorance.

In Poland, the State Forests took the lead by organizing the nationwide campaign Forest upside down, the culmination of which is scheduled for the upcoming weekend (August 29–31). Foresters, in cooperation with experts – chiropterologists – have prepared a wide range of attractions, from radio broadcasts and online events to night forest walks.

Lectures, workshops, and field games are being organized by forest districts including Lubsko, Świeradów, Szklarska Poręba, Szczecinek, Gdańsk, Młynary, Pisz, Wyszków, Hajnówka, Garwolin, Prószków, and Żmigród. The rich program includes observing bats’ nightly flights and listening to them using ultrasonic detectors.

Those who do not manage to join the bat trails this weekend will have the opportunity to take part in workshops held in various places in Poland throughout September. More information can be found on the websites of the Regional Directorates of State Forests (RDPL) and on the Facebook pages of individual forest districts.

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main photo: Ján Svetlík/Flickr