We collect data through a variety of methods in order to get a comprehensive view of the status of bats in Illinois.

North American Bat Monitoring Program Acoustics

Our collaborative effort collects acoustic data from 30 North American Bat Monitoring Program (typically referred to as GRTS – generalized random tessellation stratified) survey cells. Read more about the North American Bat Monitoring Program

Pole with acoustic recorder and microphone attached near small tree

Mist Netting

Our field team conducts mist netting, which is the capture of bats to identify species, sex, reproductive information and then releasing the bats again.

Woman removing bat from mist netting

Long term monitoring stations

We have been installing acoustic recorders with weather stations that are collecting data year round at sites throughout Illinois to better understand bat movement patterns especially during migration.

Roost monitoring

We collect information on roosts through our online roost form ( linked here ), work with organizations like Grand Prairie Friends, and collect guano samples for genetic identification to monitor use and understand how species use different roost types.

Artificial roosts at night