Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 34(2) 1991

Issue:

VOL 34(2) 1991

Keywords:

Bats, overwintering, colony, Poland

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Overwintering bat colony in Strzaliny (North-Western Poland)

• Rafał BERNARD
• Adam GŁAZACZOW
• Juliusz SAMOLĄG

Abstract:

The bat colony in winter in the underground corridors of a line of fortifications near Strzaliny was investigated in the years 1980-82 and 1988-90. Bats distribution in the corridors, settlement of crevices, change in numbers and rate of return to their winter quarter was studied. In both periods 4 species of bats were found, these are: Myotis myotis, M. daubentoni, M. nattereri and Plecotus auritus. The maximum number in the colony was 300 individuals in the years 1980-82 which increased to 657 individuals in the years 1988-90. Now it is a third biggest bat winter quarter in Poland. Myotis daubentoni was the dominating species in autumn, during the winter period numbers of all species were similar (there was a lack of distinct domination) and Myotis myotis dominated in the early spring. Some of the bats were ringed and a high rate of return to the same winter quarter was recorded, the greatest (67%) was found for Myotis myotis.