You Keep the Night Skies Buzzing
Bats fly out at dusk, in search of their next meal. Moths flit about at night, pollinating flowers and serving as food for other creatures. Both are a vital part of our local ecosystem, and are making TLC preserves their home, thanks to your support.
Bats and moths are considered species of concern in our area. Bat populations have declined drastically due to white-nose syndrome (a fungus that affects bats) and many moth species seem to be in decline.
Your support preserves habitat so creatures like these can thrive. How do we know it’s making a difference?
TLC has been counting these creatures at night. The most recent survey in August at Boloria Meadows in Bull Valley showed 133 animal species are using this site! This includes 112 species that had not been counted there previously.
And what about bats?
Using a specialized detector, TLC was able to detect bat species by picking up their unique ultrasonic calls. Six bat species were noted, and three that may be listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois, so it is great to see them active at TLC sites. They are:
- Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)
- Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), and
- Northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis)
So far, eight of 10 potential bat species in McHenry County have been seen using TLC sites, and hopefully more will be discovered as we continue to look for them.
In addition, 49 moth species were counted at Boloria, which brings the total up to 435 moth species at all TLC sites.
Each piece of land protected, no matter its size, acts as a vital oasis. These habitats, which tend to be smaller in size, serve as stepping stones to larger preserves, allowing wildlife populations to thrive. By supporting these critical pockets of land, you create safe corridors for species to migrate and survive.
Thank you for saving nature in McHenry County!