We have a new family in the neighborhood, perched atop Sergio and David’s long-handled dusters. Luckily, they are in a spot where my cats can’t reach them, so they’ve resorted to a rest period.
Yes. ONE spelunker came back from Europe with an infected tool which he failed to clean. That infected tool infected MILLIONS of bats nationwide. They dropped in cavern by the millions and all our bats disappeared. They are slowly — very slowly — making a comeback, but it is slow and the climate has changed, too.
It was ONE infected tool. Just one. And it caused an epidemic that kill so many American bats that it is frightening. There are a lot of articles about it, but climate change isn’t helping either. Little brown bats with white-nose syndrome — a white fungal growth on the nose. Bats play a big role in agriculture. They fertilize, pollinate and eat crop-loving insects. As the deadly white-nose syndrome kills millions of bats across the U.S., the loss is felt across the industry – and it comes with a price tag.
It may be too little too late. I remember when it started, but I had hoped they would begin to repopulate by now. They haven’t, at least not in Massachusetts.
It’s a long story, but they did. They kept tracing the fungus back and back until they finally realized it was one set of uncleaned tools. Our bat population is less than 1% of what it was before we introduced this fungus. It’s horrible.
Oh I get them on my porch and though it is fun to watch them, they really make a mess~! Those black specks are not flies~! Usually over one of my doors too~!
I was lucky. They move so quickly and those little mouths were like that for a split-second. Those poor parent birds must be exhausted. They are constantly flying in and out and don’t know where they sleep. Must be on the edges of the nest because no more room inside.
Those baby swallows are so sweet. Anita
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And demanding.
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What great baby pictures. All mom will remember is those wide open beaks 😀
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And they are feeding them mosquitos. Think of how many it takes!!!
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I wish the bats would come back. THEY used to make a really meaningful dent in the mosquito population.
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Do you know why they deserted you?
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Yes. ONE spelunker came back from Europe with an infected tool which he failed to clean. That infected tool infected MILLIONS of bats nationwide. They dropped in cavern by the millions and all our bats disappeared. They are slowly — very slowly — making a comeback, but it is slow and the climate has changed, too.
It was ONE infected tool. Just one. And it caused an epidemic that kill so many American bats that it is frightening. There are a lot of articles about it, but climate change isn’t helping either. Little brown bats with white-nose syndrome — a white fungal growth on the nose. Bats play a big role in agriculture. They fertilize, pollinate and eat crop-loving insects. As the deadly white-nose syndrome kills millions of bats across the U.S., the loss is felt across the industry – and it comes with a price tag.
https://www.kunr.org/energy-and-environment/2022-05-25/study-the-disease-killing-millions-of-bats-costs-u-s-ag-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-a-year
https://www.foxnews.com/science/glimmer-hope-tiny-bat-species-begins-repopulate-after-fungus-decimates-population
It may be too little too late. I remember when it started, but I had hoped they would begin to repopulate by now. They haven’t, at least not in Massachusetts.
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Unbelievable! Certainly is reason enough for everyone just staying home!!! How in the world did they ever discover this?
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It’s a long story, but they did. They kept tracing the fungus back and back until they finally realized it was one set of uncleaned tools. Our bat population is less than 1% of what it was before we introduced this fungus. It’s horrible.
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Oh I get them on my porch and though it is fun to watch them, they really make a mess~! Those black specks are not flies~! Usually over one of my doors too~!
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Nice when they are next door. If they were here, my cats would dine on them. Heartbreaking.
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Aww, they are so cute. The cats are totally chilled
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Yes they are perpetually relaxed, except for when I’m late with their meals.
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Yup, food is one thing that’ll get them motivated
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Don’t know what exhausts them so. They mainly eat and lie around. Cats know how to get comfy, though.
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Yes they are masters at this.
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Perfect photos of the birds, and I love seeing the cats, too!
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I was lucky. They move so quickly and those little mouths were like that for a split-second. Those poor parent birds must be exhausted. They are constantly flying in and out and don’t know where they sleep. Must be on the edges of the nest because no more room inside.
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Those four open mouths in the first photo, like a little (hungry) choir. Makes me glad my four children weren’t born all at one time! 🙂
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