US Fish & Wildlife Service, NM

In the forests of southwestern New Mexico, Harris Environmental Group identified roost locations used by lesser long-nosed bats (LLNB) and Mexican long-nosed bats (MLNB), assessed roost conditions and threats, and recommended management actions. We used monitoring techniques and survey methods to determine the number of individuals from these bat species at roosts and identify use patterns by LLNB and MLNB through radio telemetry data. The purpose of this project was to find and survey mine shafts, adits, caves, and other suitable structures (buildings, bridges, crevices, etc.) for use by bats as roost sites, focusing on areas of suitable habitat in the White Signal area south of Silver City, New Mexico. We identified potential bat roosts by accessing available archives including state mining records for known mine shafts and adits, and compiled location and attribute data for 12 mine features within a five-mile radius of White Signal, New Mexico. This project involved coordinating activities with numerous land management agencies, wildlife agencies, and private land owners.