I have mentioned in past postings the plight of North America's bat populations as they are reeling from the impact of White Nose Syndrome, a fungal infection thought to have been carried over from Europe. The disease has spread quickly and for certain species has reduced numbers by 99%.
From time to time I have been able to point the Department of Natural Resources towards brewery caves that harbor bats, and interestingly they appear to have environmental conditions under which White Nose Syndrome has been less of a catastrophe. This makes them of considerable interest, just what combination of temperature, humidity and unknown factors makes them relative havens?
On a recent brisk Wednesday I got to go on a bat survey. We suited up in elaborate disposable coveralls, donned helmets and headlamps and explored brewery caves.
Because the needs of bats for winter time sleep is acute, and because too many visitors may help to spread the disease, no location here. Besides it is on private property.
A typical sort of cave for a small brewery in a part of the state without solid rock structure. It was an excavated tunnel in which straight rock foundations were built, then wooden forms for an arch were placed. The brickwork was laid then the forms removed. These caves are close to the surface and as we found in several locations, prone to deterioration over time. But this one was in first rate condition.
Invariably they were built with more than one chamber. Here we are looking from the outer to the inner room. There would have also been an antechamber covering the entrance for additional insulation and security.
Many of my pictures this day were sub par. It was my first attempt at photography by headlamp and I was reluctant to use a lot of flash. Bats are grumpy when awakened. But you can see several of our snoozing pals hanging from the ceiling here.
My job was mostly recording data and helping pin down locations for a few obscure sites. But I did have a chance to look about several caves I'd not been in before and this one had a small, interesting side tunnel. It had a slight incline to it and I suspect it was used to slide blocks of ice, or perhaps to roll small kegs, down from above.
Bats are funny critters. Their lives are so different from ours being as they are an endless cycle of promiscuous mating, bug eating and hibernation at a level such that their hearts beat four times a minute and they breathe every ten minutes or so.
No wonder they are a bit cranky when disturbed.
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