July 30, 1998
Special to Bat Research News

Equipment Grant Program helps student researchers explore bat habitat

Four students received equipment grants to explore bat habitat during the
1998 field season.  The 50-foot TreeTop II near-infrared video systems were
loaned to the students for one-month periods as part of the Christensen
Designs Equipment Grant Program.

Jana Higginbotham, University of Texas, explored bat habitat in Big Bend
National Park.  Four species are known to inhabit the park; Nyctinomops
macrotis (big free-tailed bat), Nyctinomops femorosacca (pocket free-tailed
bat), Eumops perotis (mastif bat) and Tadarida brasiliensis (Mexican
free-tailed bat).  She was able to gain more insight into the roosting
behavior of the rare pocketed free-tailed bat, capturing video footage with
the TreeTop.

Sandra Ditty, University of Arizona, studied roost selection of bridges by
bats in an urban arera, and Joellen McDonnell, North Carolina State
University, identified bat roosts under bridges in North Carolina.

Suzy Morales, University of Arizona, monitored saguaro cavities and cavity
nesting bird breeding activity.  Her research involved studying the
relationship between transplanted saguaro cacti and cavity nesting birds
and during her survey she sighted one unidentified bat.

Another grant recipient, Mary K. Clark, North Carolina Natural History
Museum, explored bat habitat while evaluating the unit.

John Christensen, who developed the TreeTop,  will demonstrate the research
equipment as an exhibitor and presenter at the October North American
Symposium of Bat Research (NASBR) in Little Rock, AR.  Christensen's
three-hour workshop Thursday evening on October 29 includes basics on
near-infrared technology and a field trip to explore bat habitat with the
TreeTop.  He plans to introduce new equipment developed specifically for
bat research, including an infrared spotlight with low-energy requirements.

Christensen Designs specializes in developing wildlife research equipment.
Based 75 miles east of San Francisco, the company has a fleet of rental
equipment that it makes available to graduate student through the Equipment
Grant Program.

Student proposals should include the following information:
1)  Cover letter that briefly describes the research project and how the
TreeTop II would be used.  Pole lengths of  35 and 50 feet are available,
and the applicant should specify a preference.  The student should also
describe the length of the field season and optimal times to use the
equipment.
2)  Research proposal that describes the scope of the research.

For additional information contact:
Ann Christensen
Christensen Designs
349 Scenic Place
Manteca, CA  95337
email:  Ann@PeeperPeople.com
Information is also posted on the website:  PeeperPeople.com