Searching for bats on Naxos
In the spring of 2015, we had some very special visitors: two environmental scientists who were studying and counting bats in Greece as part of a program run by the Greek Ministry, particularly in Natura 2000 areas, but also elsewhere. The aim was to determine and monitor the population of the bat species so that protective measures can be taken for endangered or rare species if necessary. Until now, little was known about bats in Greece, and there were virtually no data from the Cyclades. During their few days on Naxos, the two bat specialists, Elena Papadatou and Artemis Kafkaletou-Diez, wanted to find at least the more common species on the island and determine the most important habitats for bats. If possible, they also wanted to try to catch bats in order to identify and measure the animals and to take DNA samples (to study their relationship to bats from other regions).
Most of the photos in this report were taken by Artemis and Elena; I would like to thank them very much for providing the information and photos, as well as for the whole experience.
The first step is to gather information. Here, we mark all the places on the map where I have seen bats before. We also mark possible habitats such as caves, old buildings and mines, as well as places that might be suitable for catching the animals.
An the first two days, the bat researchers want to visit the emery mines: on one day, I accompany them to the mines near Kóronos; and on the other day, they explore the mines near Apíranthos with Michalis Bardanis.
At the mines near Kóronos: here lies the main station of the cable railway for the transport of the emery and the mine of Stravolangáda. We look inside all the old houses and go as far as possible into the mine (which has been disused for many years).
In one of the houses we find a Lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) hanging in a chimney.
in front of the mine “Stravolangáda”
We examine the mine as carefully as possible, shining lights into every corner.
We cannot continue here: the passage drops very steeply.
In the mines we find no bats, only in some places the typical droppings: small brown-black, elongated crumbs that shine when crushed (from the remains of the insects that the bats eat).
Bat droppings like these prove that bats sometimes stay here. However, the mines are probably used by the animals mostly in winter; at least we don’t encounter any now.
And a few more pictures from the mines at Apíranthos:
Here, too, only droppings are found in the mines, but several Greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophos ferrumequinum) sit in the nearby half-ruined houses.
When we drive back with the car, it is already dark. A bat detector is mounted on the roof of the car; Artemis holds a second one out of the window. These devices record the ultrasonic calls of the bats and convert them into sounds that humans can hear. The detector registers quite a few animals, especially near street lamps in the vicinity of villages. The recordings have to be evaluated on the computer; in addition to horseshoe bats, they will most likely include pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and European free-tailed bats (Tadaria teniotis), the only species in our region whose calls can be heard with the ‘naked’ ear.
continue: A visit to the bats in the cave on Mount Zas
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