BAT HIBERNACULUM: Coming soon to an Agricultural Hall band shell near you!

As we prepare for Halloween, our neighbourhood bats are preparing for winter. Local bat species either migrate or hibernate (or both!) during the colder months when food is less abundant. To celebrate our furry friends, the Mayne Island Conservancy is creating a simulation bat hibernaculum in the band shell at the Agricultural Hall (430 Fernhill Rd).

Our simulation bat hibernaculum will be full of bat information and will give you a small sense of what type of places bats like to spend the winter. Bat artwork by students from the Mayne Island School will be hung in the hiberaculum. This display is intended for people of all ages to enjoy. Access to the band shell will be via the flat ground nearest the Ag Hall (no step-climbing necessary). Stop by between 10 am and 4 pm from October 24^th – 31^st to learn more about these incredible critters. A bat guide will be on site from 1 pm – 3 pm each day.

What is a Hibernaculum?

Some of you might be wondering, what exactly is a bat hibernaculum? A hibernaculum is any place that bats hibernate for the winter. There can be one or thousands of bats of multiple species found in a single hibernaculum. During hibernation, a bat’s breathing rate, metabolism, heart rate and body temperature drop for extended periods of time. They need sheltered places, such as caves and mines, to safely hibernate through the cold months.