The Bat House
After a long period of procrastination, I’ve finally added my bat house.
There’s a good population of bats in my bioregion, mostly Evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis), but there are other species. They roost in hollow trees and houses, but I’m told the little winged fur balls are also attracted to these little houses.
I sit in the garden each evening, sipping a cool beverage, and wait, hoping to see my first occupant. The photo is from yesterday, just before dusk. I’m told occupancy can happen within hours, but can also take a couple of years. I’ll leave the vacancy sign illuminated for as long as it takes.
Maybe if I serve a hearty breakfast and market it as a Bat Bed and Breakfast, I’ll get more takers. Wait. They eat in the evening, so Bed and Dinner. I’ll call it the Flying Mosquito, touting the high popluation of mosquitos in my garden as potential tourist attraction. For the more discriminating bat, of course. Insect flavored mint on the pillow.
From what I can tell, I’m the only person in the neighborhood actually trying to attract bats. Then again, I’m the only person in the neighborhood that encourages and supports the growth of clover and dandelions for the bees. Most folks are soaking their yards with poison, trying to create that perfect, Augusta National look that doesn’t exist naturally anywhere in nature.
This, of course, kills not only the “weeds,” but it also kills toads and other animals, including the bees.
But my yard/garden is a happy place, not a chemically produced monoculture. There are at least 38 species of birds, at least two species of snakes, along with chipmunks, squirrels, bees, dragonflies and a host of other life forms. The bats are there too. They’ve just not yet decided to take up more permanent residence.
I’ll keep the light on.
Bathouse…nice. Sure beats the hell outta my birdfeeder. Amen on the lawn stuff too. Seems like everyone is really trying to have a putting green in their front lawn. I, for one, like the dandelions and weeds – adds character.