DNREC’s Delaware Bat Program needs dedicated volunteers for the summer field season. Volunteer bat spotters help state biologists collect information about bats and their summer colonies; information needed to determine conservation actions to best protect Delaware’s bats.

Volunteers help with several important tasks:

Maternity colony counts — Volunteers will be assigned a site to count bats as they emerge from their roost at dusk. Surveys will begin 30 minutes before sunset and last approximately one to two hours.

Maternity colony catches — Volunteers will assist biologists with trapping bats to assess the health of the colony. Surveys will begin one hour before sunset and last approximately four hours.

Acoustic driving transects — Volunteers will drive their vehicles along specific transect routes to record bat echolocation calls. Surveys will begin 30 minutes after sunset and last approximately two hours.

For more information on bat spotter volunteer opportunities, contact DNREC Nongame Mammal Biologist Danielle Minter, at batspotters@delaware.gov or 302-735-3600.

Requirements

Participants must be at least 18 years of age and able to contribute at least two days of service between May 1 and July 31.

Training is required for each summer season. Virtual training is provided each spring. All volunteers (both returning and new volunteers) must attend. New volunteers will be paired with a DNREC staff member or an experienced volunteer for their first survey.

To volunteer to become a Bat Spotter, please complete the form below.

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Volunteer Form

Your name

Your address

Your phone number

Your email

Where did you find out about us?

Have you volunteered with us before? Never One Season Several Seasons

What surveys are you interested in?
(Select all that apply)
 Maternity Colony Emergence Counts
 Maternity Colony Catches
 Acoustic Driving Transects

Are you rabies vaccinated?
 Yes
 No

If vaccinated, what was your titer level? Less than 0.1 IU/mL Above 0.1 but below 0.5 IU/mL Equal to or above 0.5 IU/mL

On what date were you vaccinated?

County where you would most like to volunteer? (Select all that apply)  New Castle
 Kent
 Sussex

Do you know of a maternity roost? If yes, please describe.

Are there any considerations we need to know about? (Select all that apply)
 Physical    Health    Mobility    Other

Please explain

Submit

Related Topics:  bat spotters, bats, conservation, fish and wildlife, volunteer