Alabaster Bat Count 2023 - ABC23 - page 2

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Sat. January 28, 2023 Time again for the annual Bat hibernating population count at Alabaster Caverns State Park here in Oklahoma. Mike and Mel retired last year (Oct. 31st - perfect date for retirement for bat people) but have agreed to come back and help with this years bat count. Park Manager Derek said he could use their help and they dropped everything and came back to help. We had some help from some other managers and officials from the State Parks help out too! Most of the pictures below can be clicked on to see a bigger photo and for the scientists that like to see detail, the bigger photo has a link to a full size photo where you can see a flea on a bats nose (good for WNS survallance). This years total was 22,940 cave myotis and 12 Tri-color's in attendance. Thanks to all for helping out!! Click on any photo to see an enlarged version.
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		Park Manager Derek getting a close up look
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Cool eh?
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		Not a lot of Tri-Color bats this year. They prefer a bit warmer temperatures or warmer spots in caves.
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	A mat of bats (how many?) Count the ears and divide by 2 <grin>
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		The 2023 ABC23 bat count team
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	And then the long walk back to the office... Thanks for all of y'all's help!
Click on any photo to see an enlarged version.

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A movie of bats inside Alabaster Caverns (41 meg)

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Last updated: 1/31/23