Elk Rapids Almanac - October 2020
October-Autumn season was at its peak when our family hiked recently at Maplehurst Preserve. The fall color seemed almost magical._ Julie Farrell. (photo)
October 24-31: Bat week. Halloween month is an appropriate time to observe Batweek, an annual celebration of the role of bats in nature. Although Halloween often conjures up images of bats as scary creatures, they are essential to a healthy world, and do have their virtues. As far as affecting the ecosystem, most species of bats eat insects. Fruit-eating bats pollinate over 500 species of plants, including bananas, mangoes, and even cocoa. So, when you eat that Halloween candy at the end of the month, remember to thank a bat for the chocolate!
Bats are the only mammals that have the true capability of flying, and they can do so at rates up to 60 mph. The lifespan of a bat can reach 30 years, and bats typically only reproduce once per year. A baby bat is called a “pup”, and mothers have the ability to find their pups among millions of others based on their voices and scents. Bats are nocturnal creatures, and will often sleep in trees, caves, or other dark corridors during the day.
While there are negative connotations and endless myths about the infamous vampire bat, only three species of blood-sucking bats exist, none of which inhabit the United States.
Caution: Like many wild animals, bats can carry rabies, although the chance of being bitten and infected by a bat with rabies is extremely low. Bats are scared of humans, and will not try to attack people. That being said, just like raccoons and possums, people should not approach bats.
More Info: Batweek.org; Smithsonian.com; Bat Conservation International.
Note: Many Elk Rapids locals related first hand experiences with bats in their homes, attics, and churches. Some of us have seen them at twilight while walking down our street and watching them flying above our heads, inspiring us to step up the pace back to our houses.
A few of us have sought help and advice for local pest control experts, and the county health department if we actually had physical contact with a bat, just to make sure we are not at risk.
A few more “bat facts” from local bird expert Kay Charter: There are over 1,100 bat species in the world. The smallest one is Kitti’s Hog Nosed Bat, an inch and a half long, and an insectivore, meaning they eat bugs and insects, and are native to forests in Thailand. The Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox, the largest bat in the world has a wingspan of up to six feet. It is endemic to Asia, Australia, and East African Forests. They are “frugivores”, meaning they eat fruit.
Michigan bats are insectivorous, and they are better at mosquito control than any spray. Widely occurring Little Brown Bats consume 1,000 mosquitoes an hour. Nine species of bats occur in Michigan: Big Brown, Little Brown, Hoary, Eastern Red, Tri-colored, Silver-haired, Indiana, and Evening. Michigan species affected by white-nose syndrome, a disease threatening bats globally, include Big Brown, Little Brown, and Indiana.
In Mexico, Lesser Long-nosed Bats are essential for tequila production, as they are the only pollinator for blue agave. Tequila is made from the nectar of this desert plant. But when the bats declined and needed protection, Mexican residents had to be convinced they were not El Chupacabra, a blood –sucking creature of folklore. Protection was made possible once the residents realized that without the bats, there would be no tequila production. Thank a bat the next time you have a margarita! _ Kay Charter, Saving Birds Thru Habitat.
(photo of Less Long-nosed Bat)
October 31-Watch for the Blue Moon. While the moon won’t actually look blue, the second full moon in one month is usually referred to as a “blue moon”. This happens every 2.5 to three years, or “once in a blue moon.”
While a blue moon seems rare, a full moon on Halloween across time zones is even more rare—an event that hasn’t occurred since 1944.
However, a full moon occurs on Halloween every 19 years in some time zones, so you can expect a full Halloween moon again in 2039, 2058, 2077 and 2096.
The full Halloween moon will rise at 10:49 am ET on October 31—which explains why the moon will be visible across time zones.
Note: a charming book of nature essays: Twelve Moons of the Year. Hal Borland. 1979.
October 31-the last day of Daylight Saving Time, so set your clocks back an hour on November 1 at 2 am.
October-Autumn season was at its peak when our family hiked recently at Maplehurst Preserve. The fall color seemed almost magical._ Julie Farrell. (photo)
October 24-31: Bat week. Halloween month is an appropriate time to observe Batweek, an annual celebration of the role of bats in nature. Although Halloween often conjures up images of bats as scary creatures, they are essential to a healthy world, and do have their virtues. As far as affecting the ecosystem, most species of bats eat insects. Fruit-eating bats pollinate over 500 species of plants, including bananas, mangoes, and even cocoa. So, when you eat that Halloween candy at the end of the month, remember to thank a bat for the chocolate!
Bats are the only mammals that have the true capability of flying, and they can do so at rates up to 60 mph. The lifespan of a bat can reach 30 years, and bats typically only reproduce once per year. A baby bat is called a “pup”, and mothers have the ability to find their pups among millions of others based on their voices and scents. Bats are nocturnal creatures, and will often sleep in trees, caves, or other dark corridors during the day.
While there are negative connotations and endless myths about the infamous vampire bat, only three species of blood-sucking bats exist, none of which inhabit the United States.
Caution: Like many wild animals, bats can carry rabies, although the chance of being bitten and infected by a bat with rabies is extremely low. Bats are scared of humans, and will not try to attack people. That being said, just like raccoons and possums, people should not approach bats.
More Info: Batweek.org; Smithsonian.com; Bat Conservation International.
Note: Many Elk Rapids locals related first hand experiences with bats in their homes, attics, and churches. Some of us have seen them at twilight while walking down our street and watching them flying above our heads, inspiring us to step up the pace back to our houses.
A few of us have sought help and advice for local pest control experts, and the county health department if we actually had physical contact with a bat, just to make sure we are not at risk.
A few more “bat facts” from local bird expert Kay Charter: There are over 1,100 bat species in the world. The smallest one is Kitti’s Hog Nosed Bat, an inch and a half long, and an insectivore, meaning they eat bugs and insects, and are native to forests in Thailand. The Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox, the largest bat in the world has a wingspan of up to six feet. It is endemic to Asia, Australia, and East African Forests. They are “frugivores”, meaning they eat fruit.
Michigan bats are insectivorous, and they are better at mosquito control than any spray. Widely occurring Little Brown Bats consume 1,000 mosquitoes an hour. Nine species of bats occur in Michigan: Big Brown, Little Brown, Hoary, Eastern Red, Tri-colored, Silver-haired, Indiana, and Evening. Michigan species affected by white-nose syndrome, a disease threatening bats globally, include Big Brown, Little Brown, and Indiana.
In Mexico, Lesser Long-nosed Bats are essential for tequila production, as they are the only pollinator for blue agave. Tequila is made from the nectar of this desert plant. But when the bats declined and needed protection, Mexican residents had to be convinced they were not El Chupacabra, a blood –sucking creature of folklore. Protection was made possible once the residents realized that without the bats, there would be no tequila production. Thank a bat the next time you have a margarita! _ Kay Charter, Saving Birds Thru Habitat.
(photo of Less Long-nosed Bat)
October 31-Watch for the Blue Moon. While the moon won’t actually look blue, the second full moon in one month is usually referred to as a “blue moon”. This happens every 2.5 to three years, or “once in a blue moon.”
While a blue moon seems rare, a full moon on Halloween across time zones is even more rare—an event that hasn’t occurred since 1944.
However, a full moon occurs on Halloween every 19 years in some time zones, so you can expect a full Halloween moon again in 2039, 2058, 2077 and 2096.
The full Halloween moon will rise at 10:49 am ET on October 31—which explains why the moon will be visible across time zones.
Note: a charming book of nature essays: Twelve Moons of the Year. Hal Borland. 1979.
October 31-the last day of Daylight Saving Time, so set your clocks back an hour on November 1 at 2 am.
Photo by Julie Farrell at Maplehurst.
|
Photo by Julie Farrell at Maplehurst.
|
Lesser Long Nose Bat BCI Photo.