Observations on the roost characteristics of the East-coast Free-tailed BatMormopterus norfolkensisin two different regions of New South Wales

Abstract

The protection of day roosts is critical to the conservation of threatened insectivorous bat species. However, little is known about the roosting ecology of many species and this is particularly the case for Australian hollow-roosting species, such as East-coast Free-tailed Bat Mormopterus norfolkensis. We undertook targeted surveys to capture M. norfolkensis and investigate the factors that influence roost selection. However, we were only able to capture and radio-track six individuals in two different regions of New South Wales (three in the Hunter Valley and three at Urbenville). We found that M. norfolkensis roosted in tree hollows in a range of tree species, including Grey Box Eucalyptus moluccana and Spotted Gum Corymbia maculata in the Hunter Valley and Flooded Gum E. grandis and red gum E. amplifolia / tereticornis in Urbenville. Additionally, a telegraph pole was used as a roost by a small colony of eight bats in Urbenville. As we experienced very low trap success and were only able to track bats...