We propose to assess overwintering day-roost and foraging ecology of non-hibernating, migratory bats, i.e., eastern red BAT (lasiurus borealis), hoary BAT (lasiurus cinereus), and silver-haired BAT…

We propose to assess overwintering day-roost and foraging ecology of non-hibernating, migratory bats, i.e., eastern red BAT (lasiurus borealis), hoary BAT (lasiurus cinereus), and silver-haired BAT (lasionycteris noctivagans) at two mid-atlantic installations in virginia, FT. Barfoot and FT. Walker (but including other installations is possible and TBD). These two installations represent the northernmost regularly used overwintering sites on the eastern seaboard. These three species of bats have been heavily impacted by expanding wind-energy development in the east. Managers have concerns that dormant season burning necessary to maintain installation range conditions to support training and to support environmental stewardship, i.e., early-successional habitat, pine savannas and OAK regeneration are not in environmental evolutionary sync with these BAT species adapted to growing season burning. Nonetheless, as installation perimeter encroachment continues unabated that complicates burning safety and air quality compliance, climate-induced forest mesophication increases, and summer presence of endangered BAT species maternity colonies such as the northern long-eared BAT and indiana BAT occurs, dormant season burning will need to increase in acreage and frequency. Data on vulnerability to migratory bats from burning in terms of mortality, evacuation movement and habitat use in the dormant season are need to inform management to better conserve migratory bats and their habitat and to prevent the need for future listing decisions. From late fall of 2024 through early spring of 2026, we will conduct intensive acoustic and mist-netting surveys to determine dormant season foraging and day-roosting habitat use. Subsets of mist-netted bats of each species will be radio-tagged and tracked to tree or forest floor roosts during mild and cold weather events whereby prescribed fires will be initiated across the range of acceptable burn windows to assess arousal from torpor, evacuation and subsequent movement and RE-roosting. Pilot work at camp blanding, florida as proof-of-concept showed this work is logistically feasible, however owing to the extreme southern latitude and lack of cooler temperatures forcing torpor, transferability to the larger overwintering distribution of these species was limited. Cooperating installations will provide access to training areas, assistance with BAT surveys and implementation of prescribed burning where day-roosting bats are located. At minimum, we expect this project to yield 3-5 peer-reviewed scientific publications, a technical report commander s guide on dormant season burning best management practices for bats and either a mid-atlantic workshop for installation managers or a DOD nationwide webinar.