The Bats in Backyards project is spreading its wings, expanding its crucial research efforts to Nyngan, Mungindi, and Weemelah.
Farmers and rural landholders in Nyngan, Mungindi and Weemelah are invited to join the effort by participating in a survey in March 2024.
The natural pest control services provided by insectivorous bats contribute a staggering $63.6 million annually in avoided cotton yield damage to the Australian cotton industry.
Over a period of 3 to 5 days, volunteer landholders will be equipped with bat detectors which will capture the high-frequency echolocation calls from bats soaring high overhead.
Participating citizen scientists will receive a personalised report detailing each bat species detected above their property, their preferred habitat and food sources, as well as recommendations for their protection and conservation.
There are 34 species of insect-eating bats in New South Wales, 18 of which are listed as threatened.
