Vol. 76 (4) 2024

ARTICLES

Use of Forest Tracks by Commuting or Foraging Bats
in a Forest-lake Landscape: A Case Study in the Wigry National Park, Poland

Grzegorz Lesiński1*, Grzegorz Błachowski2, Ewa Jędrzejewska-Domalewska3 &
Rafał Karczmarewicz2

More info

1Institute of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
grzegorz_lesinski@sggw.edu.pl
2Lasonauci, Palmowa 30/7, 15-795 Białystok, Poland; lasonauci@gmail.com
3Department of Ecological Innovation Ecoexpert Ltd., Krzywe 62B/2, 16-402 Suwałki, Poland; e.jedrzejewska@ipecoexpert.pl

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb76.4.002817

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Abstract
Studies on the use of forest tracks by bats were carried out in the forest-lake landscape of the Wigry National Park (NE Poland). Netting was performed in July and August 2023 at 14 sites situated near water bodies and at 14 sites remote from waters. In total, 396 individuals belonging to 11 species were caught. Tracks were most often used by Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis daubentonii and Pipistrellus pygmaeus (55% of all caught bats). Eptesicus serotinus and Barbastella barbastellus were more numerous on tracks remote from waters. The group of species known to feed over waters or in riparian habitats (M. daubentonii, N. noctula and Pipistrellus spp.) was represented more frequently on tracks near waters. Forest tracks in the studied landscape are important feeding grounds and corridors for commuting to feeding grounds for many bat species.

Key words
Chiroptera, land use, linear elements of landscape, bat netting, north-eastern Poland

How to Cite
Lesiński G., Błachowski G., Jędrzejewska-Domalewska E. & Karczmarewicz R. 2024. Use of Forest Tracks by Commuting or Foraging Bats in a Forest-lake Landscape: A Case Study in the Wigry National Park, Poland. Acta zoologica bulgarica 76 (4) 485-490.

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