I’ve been trying to find the time to write you a note about a baby bat I rescued last week. I noticed something draped on a limb in the butterfly garden and then saw a blue jay fly over and peck at it. At that point the blue jay flew off and what was draped on the limb flew down. I went outside thinking it was a hurt bird but found a baby bat on the ground. I picked him/her up and took it over to the screen on the back porch and let it climb up on the screen. Of course, I shouldn’t have just picked it up in my hand like that (as my husband told me), but it was just instinct. He/she laid very calmly in my hand and luckily I didn’t encounter any teeth. He/she climbed up a little ways on the screen and then turned upside down to hang. I thought at that point that it would just stay there until dusk. While I was watching him/her hang, it just suddenly flew up into the trees. I actually saw a blue jay try to get to it in the air, but luckily the little bat made it to the trees. I don’t quite know what blue jays have against bats, but there must be something. Even though I didn’t get a photo, I can tell you that this little guy was “not” a Brazilian free-tailed bat and appeared to be an evening bat……no tail extended like the free-tailed. Of course, that’s just one bat, but my guess is that we probably have both species.
Two nights ago I was out at dusk watering some plants when a small bat dropped from the trees and landed on a plant. That also appeared to be an evening bat, but it was definitely getting dark so I wouldn’t bet my life on it. It seemed to not be able to fly as of yet, but seemed to be in the process of trying. Maybe Mom tosses the young out to learn????? A few seconds later, I heard what seemed to be another one come down, but couldn’t locate it in the dark.
I’m assuming that the females may be nesting in the trees until the young are old enough for the bat houses. That could account for the one last week flying up to the trees (in that same area). I wouldn’t think that would be too safe with hawks, owls, and those blue jays but that’s what I’ll assume until I can find out more.
If I encounter any more, I’ll try to grab my camera to get some pictures. Just thought you’d be interested to know that we at least know we have some evening bats around.
Beverly
