Abstract
The results of winter checks in drainage systems of three cities in northern Poland are presented. The analysis of importance of this type of roosts for hibernating bats is conducted. In total 7524 bats were counted in the winter 2013: 3412 individuals in Olsztyn, 3403 in Pila and 709 in Koszalin. Higher number of bats than in rainwater sewers of Olsztyn and Pila was observed in Nietoperek Reserve only. Six bat species were recorded in checked rainwater sewage systems: Myotis nattereri, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis myotis, Plecotus auritus, Barbastella barbastellus and bats from Myotis mystacinus complex. Urban sewage systems are important especially for Myotis nattereri. This species dominates in all checked objects, with 3314 individuals in Olsztyn, 2532 in Pila and 597 in Koszalin. Given the sheer size of the drainage systems, this type of roosts may belong to the most important hibernation sites, particularly for M. nattereri and M. daubentonii.
Highlights
Anthropogenic transformation of the landscape makes bats adapt to deal with different types of objects in urban areas (Lesiński 2006), becoming an integral part of the cities fauna (Haensel 1982, Mickleburgh 1987, Legakis et al 2000, Lesiński et al 2001)
The data used in the study were collected during the winter 2013 in urban drainage systems of three cities in northern Poland: Koszalin (21.02.2013), Pila (25.01.2013) and Olsztyn (16.01.2013) (Fig. 1, Table 1)
In total 7524 bat individuals were found in winter 2013: 3412 in Olsztyn, 3403 in Pila and 709 in Koszalin
Summary
Grzegorz W o jt aszyn , Tomasz Rutkowski, Wojciech St ephan and Leszek K o z ir ó g. A bstract: The results of winter checks in drainage systems of three cities in northern Poland are presented. The analysis o f importance o f this type o f roosts for hibernating bats is conducted. In total 7524 bats were counted in the winter 2013: 3412 individuals in Olsztyn, 3403 in Piła and 709 in Koszalin. Urban sewage systems are important especially for Myotis nattereri. This species dominates in all checked objects, with 3314 individuals in Olsztyn, 2532 in Piła and 597 in Koszalin. Given the sheer size o f the drainage systems, this type of roosts may belong to the most important hibernation sites, for M. nattereri and M. daubentonii. Key w ords: Chiroptera, hibernation site, drainage system, northern Poland, urban fauna
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