Some may wonder how we know what bats are flying above the GNG. We record their echolocation calls. These recordings are run through software that creates a sonogram, which is then annualized by classification software. Although the software algorithms are quite accurate, we confirm the results by visually looking at the sonogram on a computer screen.
The most common bat recorded in the garden (our recording unit is pictured here) is the Canyon bat, followed by Mexican Free-tailed bats. Recently, over a two-week period, we got recordings of a Yuma myotis. This was surprising because this small bat is usually associated with flowing or open water environments.
The screenshot above is a sonogram created by a recording made in the GNG of a Yuma myotis. The red arrow points to the bat’s calls.