46 BANISTERIA NO. 39,2012 North American Amphibian Monitoring Program Wright, A. H. 1914. North American Anura: (NAAMP) routes in Maryland. Journal of Herpetology Life-Histories of the Anura of Ithaca, New York. 39:627-639. Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC. 98 pp. Wells, K. D. 1977. Territoriality and male mating success in the Green Frog (Rana clamitans). Ecology Wright, A. H., & A. A. Wright. 1949. Handbook of 58: 750-762. Frogs and Toads of the United States and Canada.Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY. 640 pp. Wiewandt, T. A. 1969. Vocalization, aggressive behavior, and territoriality in the Bullfrog, Rana Zar, J. H. 1999. Biostatistical Analysis. 4th Edition. catesbeiana. Copeia 1969: 276-285. Prentice Hall, New York, NY. 929 pp. Banisteria, Number 39, pages 46-50 © 2012 Virginia Natural History Society Survey and Assessment of Man-made Structures Used by Rafmesque’s Big-eared Bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) in Southeastern Virginia Leeanna T. Pletcher1 and John D. Kleopfer Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries 3801 John Tyler Memorial Highway Charles City, Virginia 23030 ABSTRACT The distribution and abundance of Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat, a state-endangered species in Virginia, were investigated in 2008 by surveying previously documented and undocumented man-made structures. Of the 94 previously documented sites or structures inhabited by this species, 23 were confirmed to be in good status and 15 of these had bats present. Fourteen structures had been destroyed since 2002, 29 structures were known to have been destroyed prior to 2002, the status of seven structures was deemed vulnerable and the fate of 21 sites or structures was unknown,. Four active nursery colonies, each containing 30 to 50 females and their young, and 11 solitary roosts were documented during this study. Approximately 200 individuals were observed, mostly in Southampton and Sussex counties and the City of Virginia Beach. The overall population status in Virginia is unknown. Continued publicity and education are needed to enlist landowner cooperation and to locate other bat roosts. Key words: Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat, distribution, Virginia. INTRODUCTION (VDGIF) Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy ranks C. rafinesquii as a Tier I Species of Rafmesque’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus Greatest Conservation Need (VDGIF, 2005). The rafinesquii) is classified as a state endangered species Virginia Endangered Species Recovery Plan for the (as C. rafinesquii macrotis, the Eastern Big-eared Bat) Eastern Big-Eared Bat outlines many recovery needs in the Common wealth of Virginia (VDGIF, 2005). The and strategies for this species (Schwab et al., 1990). Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ The first goal of the Recovery Plan is to determine the distribution of C. rafinesquii in Virginia by searching 'Corresponding author: [email protected] man-made and natural roost sites for day-roosting PLETCHER& KLEOPFER: RAFINESQUE’S BIG-EARED BATS 47 adults. In Virginia, this nocturnal species has been bats, guano or other signs of use. Following the found roosting inside the hollows of Black Gum (Nyssa protocol from previous surveys, a management profile sylvaticd) (Terwilliger Consulting, Inc., 2001), Water was established for each structure inhabited by C. Tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) (Hobson, 1998), and Bald rafinesquii, containing data on the number and behavior Cypress (Taxodium distichum) (Handley & Schwab of bats, GPS location and address, and building 1991; Terwilliger Consulting, Inc., 2001) trees. characteristics (e.g., number of rooms, stories and type However, most C. rafinesquii records in Virginia of roof). Newly discovered structures that looked are from man-made, abandoned structures (VAFWIS, suitable but did not have bats were recorded as null 2008). During the summer, females and their young sites. Landowner contacts were updated by phone form groups known as maternity or nursery colonies, interviews or written correspondence to acquire but no nursery colonies have been discovered in tree permission to access structures and discuss building roosts in Virginia (Carpenter, 2008). The second goal of status. The status of previously occupied structures was the Recovery Plan is to identify essential habitat such as assessed as ‘good,’ ‘vulnerable,’ ‘destroyed,’ or nursery colonies, hibernacula, and roosts of solitary ‘unknown.’ Unknown status was assigned to a structure bats. Once these sites have been identified, goals three if permission from the landowner was not granted or and four recommend investigations into their natural the structure could not be located. Additional records of history and developing a plan to monitor population C. rafinesquii were also entered into the Virginia Fish trends (Schwab et al., 1990). The fifth goal of the and Wildlife Information System (VAFWIS) database. Recovery Plan is to protect roost sites and other habitat Natural roost sites (i.e., tree hollows) were not included from adverse modifications by enlisting the assistance in this survey due to inaccessibility. of landowners. There are only five records of C. rafinesquii in RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Virginia from 1897 to 1991 (Handley 1979; Handley & Schwab, 1991). Surveys by VDGIF began in 1993, with From 1993 to 2008, there were 94 records of C. the most comprehensive study conducted in 1997 and rafinesquii in 10 counties and municipalities in 1998 by Brian Saunders and Donald Schwab. They southeastern Virginia, with most observations obtained reported 81 abandoned buildings in the counties of in Southhampton County (Table 1). We documented a Greensville, Hanover, New Kent, Southampton, and total of 15 structures inhabited by C. rafinesquii, Sussex, and the cities of Chesapeake and Suffolk that including 11 solitary roosts and four nursery colonies served as roost sites for Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bats, (Table 1). The structures were abandoned two-story including 12 nursery colonies (Garrett, 2001). The sum houses where the bats utilized attics, interior hallways, of the maximum number of bats observed at each site and closets. A bam, an abandoned one-room during that study was 471. Structure surveys in 2001 schoolhouse, an old country store, and two concrete revealed that half of the previously documented nursery bunkers also were used. Solitary roosts in Virginia were colony sites had been abandoned or destroyed (Garrett, also observed under a bridge (Carpenter 2008) and 2001). In 2000, a radio-telemetry study tracked eight C. inside a large hollow tree (Hobson, 1998). The sum of rafinesquii individuals to roosts in the vicinity of First the maximum number of bats observed at each site Landing State Park (Terwilliger Consulting, Inc. 2001). during this study was 165. We confirmed the In 2006, new sites were documented in the City of destruction of 14 structures previously known to be Suffolk and Isle of Wight County and the first used by C. rafinesquii. Landowners cited natural hibernaculum was documented in Virginia (Carpenter, decomposition, hurricanes and storms, property 2008). The present study was undertaken to document development, and property upkeep as reasons for the continued presence and viability of C. rafinesquii in collapsing or destroyed structures. southeastern Virginia. To monitor population trends, four previously known nursery colonies were revisited in Southampton MATERIALS AND METHODS and Sussex counties and the City of Virginia Beach. In 2008, each of these colonies consisted of 30 to 50 bats To address the first goal of the Recovery Plan, (Table 2), indicating stable population trends at these surveys of potential man-made roost sites were sites compared to previous counts in 1997 and 1998. conducted during 2008 by revisiting previously One site (S042) was documented as being used as a documented sites and road cruising for additional nursery colony three times in 10 years, the longest data structures. Buildings were visually surveyed during the set available for this species in Virginia. No new day from June to September 2008. Accessible rooms, nursery colonies were discovered during this study, but closets, and attics of each structure were searched for other colonies from previous surveys were destroyed or 48 BANISTERIA NO. 39, 2012 gl &|g 4= ay Iett! :83 jrt OOOOOOCNO U £ © 3 < ZS U© ©3 ©3 Say §g O 'P3>h 'P3>M 3Oo £3ay s«5g 3 © Ca3J 25O/3J Og©-H ON (N O O O O p3O Z(cid:9632)§ *5i©a3 ia3y ir Qw fafyl 33 m *3 © 3 O -a q© 3 O vo>> o<©3 OMImi V£ m3 ISS 3 2 3 £ Q m 3 o 3 Jp i GO O : © -3 ro ! * 3 o 3 -3 O o 3 3 3 > ic(sU ©O "O3 o O O > £ £ £ £ S -2 80 & Soo ££ a § 8a a <» ©<NOOOO<r><NOO y 3 3 g > B u 3 33. S a in <N O ^^ 2e oo oo oo 11 (N <N <N f/„2 -a TaS OaJ o—o Pm ©o CU © C3 X' IS _j C2M *so © © l> m (N (N -a m_3h .S c3/2 PS©Q O©< JaW333yD >aM3tny< •23? e2 Or- o3- o»n Pd ® © P3Q ©ian3y 00 © ^ © © I 2 S ^ PQ a0J>D Xay) OO o © m ay BO § 3 s-1 © 3" in 3- © M| g >s © 3cr | £«33 .W«o5 ©M ©cn ©3- ©co cn PQ I M BCD0 1 © 3 © 3 Jj P«P 13 o ou o3o" C3N- © fCNN) n gPh o00 ion D00 P>Q in © (cid:9632)i 3 PQ © I PQ V©Na3 -U3 O£ E>o3 P2 Z§£(U o|03o o3o o3o •.>2 | u33© (cid:9632)0533O0 503O30 <xaI3y '.>3t33? .1 PLETCHER& KLEOPFER: RAFINESQUE’S BIG-EARED BATS 49 of unknown status. Also, in 2009 two additional nursery observed. We believe that C. rafinesquii is viable in colonies were observed, one previously surveyed and southeastern Virginia although the overall population the other newly discovered, though specific data are not status in Virginia is unknown. We believe that this Tier included here. The nursery colonies were consistently I state endangered bat species is not in current danger of dark rooms with minimal human activity inside the extirpation, as was suggested in the Recovery Plan buildings; three of the structures had metal roofs. (Schwab et al., 1990). Due to the recent trend in destruction of known It is unclear what proportion of the population uses roost structures, an emphasis was placed on surveying natural roost sites versus man-made structures because new areas. Consequently, Charles City, Prince George, of the lack of surveys and difficulty accessing roosts in and Surry counties were targeted for road cruising tree hollows in swamps; a previous survey of 40 trees because these areas are considered likely to be within yielded only a single specimen (Hobson 1998). Threats the range of C. rafinesquii, but they lack historical to C. rafinesquii include conversion of farmland to records (VAFWIS 2008). Road cruising in these residential development, razing of old barns and counties and the City of Suffolk yielded approximately abandoned houses, and disease. Survey information will 80 structures with potential as bat roosts and landowner assist in revising the Recovery Plan for C. rafinesquii contacts were undertaken. No C. rafinesquii were found and was also sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in structures searched in Charles City, Prince George, in response to their 2009 efforts to conduct a status or Surry counties, or the City of Petersburg. Throughout review of this species. Future studies could focus on southeastern Virginia, we documented 15 null sites, areas where no surveys have been conducted, such as structures that looked suitable but had no bats present. Chesterfield, Henrico, and Powhatan counties. Surveys During this study, one newly discovered solitary of historically occupied structures are incomplete, roost was secured with a padlock and nursery colony because there are currently 21 such structures with an sites were evaluated for structural integrity. One of the unknown status. There is a great need for revisiting nursery colonies (VB221) is not protected from previously documented sites and searching for potential trespassers and spray paint inside the concrete bunker new structures. indicated occasional human activity there (Terwilliger Consulting, Inc. 2001). In an effort to develop and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS maintain landowner and public support for species protection, approximately 100 information letters were E. S. Carpenter shared bat survey data and S. sent to landowners. We met with and discussed the Murdock assisted with bat surveys. T. Christensen and status of structures and C. rafinesquii protection with J. Dolan, Environmental and Natural Resources two landowners. Furthermore, three newspaper articles Division, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Eustis shared bat were published (Virginian-Pilot, Progress-Index, and observations and data. Funding for this research was Hopewell News), an educational pamphlet (Carpenter, provided through a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State 2007) was written, and a children’s coloring sheet Wildlife Grant. R. Reynolds, J. Kraus, J. Vonesh, R. (Defenders of Wildlife, 2008) was distributed to Komosinski, D. Emery, K. Painter, and two anonymous disseminate public information. Continued publicity reviewers provided feedback on the manuscript. and education are needed to enlist landowner cooperation and to locate other bat roosts. LITERATURE CITED Surveys conducted during this study yielded three new solitary bat roosts and updated VDGIF site Carpenter, E. S. 2007. Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat management profiles for many previously documented (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) brochure. Virginia nursery and solitary bat roosts. We believe fewer Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. individuals were observed during this survey (165, Unpublished. versus 471 in 1997/1998) because of less intensive relative survey effort rather than a population decline. Carpenter, E. S. 2008. Roosting affinities of Survey information showed stable populations at the Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) four nursery sites over consecutive years and three sites in southeastern Virginia. M. S. thesis, Christopher are protected and actively managed by the landowners Newport University, Newport News, VA. 81 pp. (Table 2). Two other maternity colonies not included in this survey are protected within Great Dismal Swamp Defenders of Wildlife. 2008. Kids Planet. Color Your National Wildlife Refuge (D. J. Schwab, pers. comm. World. Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat coloring sheet. 2009). Surveys indicated high nursery site fidelity over Illustration by Steve Oliver http://www.kids many years, as large fragrant guano accumulations were planet.org/cyw/bat.html (Accessed June 2008) 50 BANISTERIA NO. 39,2012 Garrett, M. K. 2001. Eastern Big-eared Bat: Status of Schwab, D. J„ M. K. Clark, T. M. Padgett, & R. K. previously reported structures and ownership of Rose. 1990. Virginia Endangered Species Recovery property, southeastern Virginia. Unpublished report to Plan for the Eastern Big-eared Bat. Virginia Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Richmond, Richmond, VA. 5 pp. VA. 38 pp. Handley, C. O. Jr. 1979. Mammals of the Dismal Terwilliger Consulting, Inc. 2001. Endangered Species Swamp: A historical account. Pp. 297-357 In P. W. Management Plan for the Eastern Big-eared Bat Kirk, Jr. (ed.), The Great Dismal Swamp. University (Corynorhinus rafinesquii macrotis) on Fort Story Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Army Transportation Center, Virginia. Unpublished report submitted to the U.S. Army. 31 pp. Handley, C. O. Jr., & D. Schwab. 1991. Eastern Big- Eared Bat, (.Plecotus rafinesquii macrotis) LeConte, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. {Plecotus rafinesquii rafinesquii) Lesson. Pp. 571-573 2005. Virginia’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation In K. Terwilliger (coord.), Virginia’s Endangered Strategy. Section 4.4.1.14. Eastern Big-eared Bat, Species. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Corynorhinus rafinesquii macrotis. (Available on-line Company, Blacksburg, VA. at: http://www.bewildvirginia.org/wildlifeplan/plan.asp) Hobson, C. S. 1998. Bat records from southeastern Virginia Fish & Wildlife Information Service Virginia, including a new resident species, (VAFWIS). 2008. Corynorhinus rafinesquii macrotis. Myotis austroriparius (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Banisteria 12: 18-23. http://vafwis.org/fwis/ (Accessed June 2008)