Promoting bat research, conservation, and education

The Mississippi Bat Working Group gathered at Trace State Park for the 15th Annual Mist Net Event.  Twenty-three bat enthusiasts netted two nights, covering 5 sites.  Despite unseasonal rainfall and localized flooding throughout the event, the group provided the first records for evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) and eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) in Pontotoc County.

The MBWG would like to thank our event sponsors, Chester Martin and Wildlife Abatement (Rob McKay) for their support, along with all of the volunteers who scouted netting locations, served as team leaders, and traveled from across the southeast (and from Hawaii!) to help collect data.  We hope to see you all next year!

The MBWG’s 14th Annual Mist Net Event was held in Amite and Pike counties in south Mississippi.  Twenty participants representing Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana gathered at Percy Quin State Park in McComb, Mississippi for two nights of mist netting.  Although the first night was slow, the group netted eight sites and collected data on twenty-one bats. Species captured included evening bats, eastern red bats, and big brown bats.  Thanks to all those who made this event possible, including our event sponsors, the Smith Family of Natchez and Chester Martin of Vicksburg.  

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The Mississippi Bat Working Group met in Grenada, MS for two nights of mist netting on September 20-21, 2016.  Twenty three biologists, teachers, and other bat enthusiasts netted at Malmaison Wildlife Management Area and Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge in Tallahatchie County, covering four sites each night. A total of 32 bats representing three species were netted over the course of the event.  We’d like to thank all of the people who came out to net and make our 13th mist net event a successful one!   (more…)

Photo: Kathy Shelton

The Southeastern Bat Diversity Network’s “Multi-State Bat Blitz” will be held from August 24-31, 2016.  The Blitz is a five-day window in the early fall where people throughout the Southeastern United States mist net in as many locations in each state as possible.  The Bat Blitz is a great opportunity to not only collect more information on Mississippi’s bats, it is also a great outreach opportunity where members can invite the general public to learn more about bats and their conservation.    Read more

The Mississippi Bat Working Group converged on Delta National Forest on October 19-20, 2015 for two nights of mist netting in the Mississippi Delta.  A total of eight sites were netted, covering both the north and south end of the forest.  Habitats netted included open water (drying ponds), drainages, and areas adjacent to oxbow lakes.  Fifty-five bats representing six species were captured. Species included evening bat (40), southeastern bat (4), eastern red bat (3), big brown bat (2), Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (1), and eastern pipistrelle (tricolored bat; 1).  (Photo: Becky Rosamond).

J.P. Coleman State Park in Tishomingo County was the setting for the MBWG’s 11th Annual Mist Net Event.  Twenty people participated in two nights of mist netting on and adjacent to the park on July 29-30, 2014.  A total of 34 bats were captured, including eastern red bat (9), southeastern myotis (5), eastern pipistrelle (tricolored bat; 3), and evening bat (1).  During the day, participants hiked at Tishomingo State Park, conducted bridge checks for bats, and networked with wildlife professionals from around the state. (Photo: Amber Floyd)

The MBWG held its 10th Annual Mist Net Event at the Choctaw Reservation, and participants included conservation officers from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.  The event included nightly mist netting, a tour of the heritage museum, and a demonstration of traditional Choctaw cooking and stick ball.  In all, the group caught a total of 31 bats and a southern leopard frog.  Species captured included Seminole bat (1), eastern red bat (15), evening bat (12), and southeastern myotis (3).  Nearly half of the bats (14) were captured in a triple high net stretched across a dry gravel road surrounded by bottomland hardwood forest.  (Photo: Amber Floyd)

See photos from the event here.

The MBWG held their 9th Annual Mist Net Event from July 24-26, 2012 at the Chickasawhay Ranger District of the DeSoto National Forest in Jones County.  The event featured a guided tour of the Triple H and Pitts caves, led by Dr. David Beckett of the University of Southern Mississippi.  In addition to southeastern myotis, the group observed two-lined, three-line, and slimy salamanders, pickerel frogs, and several crayfish.  Following protocol, no equipment was taken into either cave that had been used in any white-nose positive state.

The group caught a total of 15 bats, a flying squirrel and a bronze frog! Species captured included Seminole bat (8), eastern red bat (2), an unknown Lasiurus species (escaped), evening bat (3), and eastern pipistrelle (tricolored bat; 1).  The group followed the national protocol for handling bats to avoid spreading white-nose syndrome.

The MBWG held it’s 8th Annual Mist Net Event on July 11-13, 2011 at Carver Point on Grenada Lake (Grenada County).  The event featured a bat identification workshop presented by Alsion McCartney.  A total of 37 people participated in the event, sampling eight sites.  Thirty five bats representing three species were captured during the two nights of netting.  Captures included eastern red bat (20), evening bat (8), and tri-colored bat (7).  Additionally, 23 people participated in bridge survyes, covering 10 routes.  Ninety bridges were surveyed for bats, with no sightings reported.