BATS TRANSIT AND FORAGE OVER NEARSHORE ENVIRONMENTS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF ALASKA

Abstract

We present evidence of bats transiting and foraging over the ocean along nearshore environments in the northern Gulf of Alaska. Acoustic surveys were conducted on 2 sea-based vessels that anchored overnight off the coasts of 2 national parks (July–August 2019). We documented Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) transiting and foraging over the ocean at 14 sites within the nearshore zone at an average off-coast distance of 298 m (s = 154). Little Brown Myotis inhabiting coastal habitats in Alaska are utilizing nearshore environments similar to Vespertilionid bats in the North Atlantic.