Conservation // 6 min Read

From Dusk to Dawn: Spring Update from the Field

Written by Palmetto Bluff

The Palmetto Bluff Conservancy began studying bats in 2015 and has since established Palmetto Bluff as a long-term bat research and monitoring site. We attempt to net bats year-round and divide our netting effort into seasonal netting “sessions,” with each session having specific objectives. The spring 2021 session ended in mid-June, and we had quite a few exciting finds.

A major goal of spring netting is to document the timing of reproductive events. Bats in South Carolina begin giving birth to pups in the spring, usually in May and June. We time our spring netting to catch bats before females are heavily pregnant so we will be sure to document 1) when bats begin showing their pregnancies, 2) when bats begin giving birth, and 3) when bats begin to nurse their young. The pups born on the early side of this range begin flying in mid-June, and we time our netting sessions to document this event too.

Big brown bats are one of several species commonly captured at Palmetto Bluff.
Big brown bats are one of several species commonly captured at Palmetto Bluff.

Another major goal of spring netting is to catch a pregnant northern long-eared bat. While we attempt to catch this federally protected species throughout the year, the spring is especially important as this is when females would be pregnant. We need to catch a pregnant or lactating female to definitively document that this species is reproducing at Palmetto Bluff. Despite our best efforts, we have only captured five northern long-eared bats to date, one of which was a female, and she was captured in the fall of 2016. Through the efforts of consultants
and biologists with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, we know that northern long-eared bats are breeding on the coast of South Carolina north of Beaufort County, and that the timing of their pregnancy is a full month earlier than previously anticipated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We hope to further contribute to the knowledge of the reproductive habits of coastal northern long-eared bats by catching females in the spring at Palmetto Bluff.

Lydia Moore inspects the wing of a Seminole bat.
Lydia Moore inspects the wing of a Seminole bat.

Our spring 2021 netting effort consisted of 22 nights between April 5 – June 15. We set up between 2-8 nets each night, depending on the location and number of people netting. We captured 107 bats of 6 different species, including big brown, Seminole, eastern red, northern yellow, evening, and tri-colored bats (as a reference, there are 13 species in Beaufort County). With a total of 2,016 net nights (number of nets x number of nights we netted) our capture success rate was 5.3% for the spring session. Our average capture success rate from 2015 – present is 4.8%, which may seem low but is typical for our area. Bats are notoriously difficult to catch! Netting bats is an exercise in patience and flexibility.

Sam Holst, Conservancy Research Fellow, processing a tri-colored bat.
Sam Holst, Conservancy Research Fellow, processing a tri-colored bat.

We had several unique captures this spring. The northern yellow bat is a species restricted to the coastal plain and often roosts in Spanish moss and the dead fronds of cabbage palmetto. It is the second-largest bat in South Carolina, with a wingspan of 14-16 inches. This is an uncommon species and we have only captured 18 northern yellow bats at Palmetto Bluff. Each new capture is a source of excitement – it is thrilling to hold these large, handsome bats. This spring, we caught two northern yellows, including the first female since 2015! She had a few holes in her wings that were already healing, but otherwise looked healthy. Her teeth were extremely sharp and not worn down, indicating she is probably a young bat. We caught her on April 13 and she did not show signs of being pregnant.

This female northern yellow bat has a few holes in her wings. The holes are already beginning to heal (note the thickened skin on the perimeter of the perforations) and will completely close, just like how our skin creates scabs before healing.
This female northern yellow bat has a few holes in her wings. The holes are already beginning to heal (note the thickened skin on the perimeter of the perforations) and will completely close, just like how our skin creates scabs before healing.

The most thrilling capture (in my opinion, at least) was a female tri-colored bat carrying her pup! This is the first time we have captured a female carrying her young at Palmetto Bluff and I was beside myself with excitement. Some of our bats leave their young in the roost when they forage during the night, while other species forage while carrying their young. While it is not unusual for bats to fly with their young, it is unusual to catch a mother and her baby in a net. To keep from disturbing the pair, we weighed them together and released them without fully processing or banding the mom. Usually, bats have a bit of “fight” in them and are fierce. I may be anthropomorphizing here, but this mom looked tired and did not put much effort into defending herself or biting my gloved hands. And no wonder! Her baby was about half her size and she was hauling its weight through the sky. We released them, watching as she flew off into the dark with her pup clinging to her chest.

We caught a female tri-colored bat carrying her pup. Her pup (on the left) was about half her size! Juvenile bats have grayer fur than adults.
We caught a female tri-colored bat carrying her pup. Her pup (on the left) was about half her size! Juvenile bats have grayer fur than adults.

Some of the evening creatures we encountered this spring were not of the bat variety. We open our nets just before sunset to make sure we catch any bats that are early risers. There seem to be some birds that stay up past their bedtime and are late to return to their roost. We occasionally catch these “late roosters” on their last hurrah before bed. This northern cardinal hit the net right after dusk. He was carefully extracted and sent off on his way, surely confused about what just happened.

We occasionally catch birds, like this northern cardinal, at or just after dusk.
We occasionally catch birds, like this northern cardinal, at or just after dusk.

We often catch flying squirrels while netting. These cute little rascals elicit sighs of exasperation when we see them in the net. Although they are usually easy to extract and do not really get tangled, they create a path of destruction by scampering along the bag of the net, chewing as they go. We have lost many nets (and hundreds of dollars) to these irritating and cheeky gliders.

We frequently catch flying squirrels, which are adept at destroying nets.
We frequently catch flying squirrels, which are adept at destroying nets.

This was an informative and successful spring netting session, and the summer session is already in full swing. If you see us netting in River Road Preserve or driving around the property tracking a bat with a metal antenna, feel free to stop us and ask questions. Next month I will explain how we catch bats (what exactly is a mist net?) and what we do when “processing” them. As always, if you have any questions about bats, send me an email at lmoore@pbconservancy.org.

Club Life
The Farm Is Blooming With Events This Spring

You know Spring has arrived at the Bluff when The Farm begins buzzing with activity. You can find a bounty of eggs in beautiful hues, bright green potato vines popping up in rows, and Better Boy, Celebrity, and Red Brandywine tomatoes ripening in the sun. We a...

Apr 2025

Real Estate
Stay Awhile: How Palmetto Bluff’s Porches Invite More Than Just A Place To Sit

The homes at Palmetto Bluff are known for their expansive and inviting porches, which embody the spirit of Southern charm and hospitality. These porches are more than architectural features; they serve as seamless extensions of the living space, fostering a co...

Apr 2025

Sporting Life
Behind the Design: A Recent Look at the Coore & Crenshaw Course

Take a closer look at the artistry and intention behind the new Coore & Crenshaw golf course coming to life in Anson. In this exclusive video, hear directly from Ben Crenshaw as he shares how each hole was thoughtfully designed to offer a unique experience...

Apr 2025

Club Life
Member Profile | Bradshaw Family

Randy, Carole Anne, Sage, Tyson, and Wren Oliver Where are you from? Randy: We're both from Manning, South Carolina. We met in high school. Carole Anne: We were high school sweethearts! Randy: In 2013, we moved to St. Louis and were there for over seven ...

Apr 2025
south carolina wildlife

Conservation
Spring Wildlife: What to Spot at Palmetto Bluff This Season

Where to Spot South Carolina Wildlife This Spring As spring breathes new life into the Lowcountry, Palmetto Bluff becomes a haven for nature enthusiasts eager to experience the vibrant South Carolina wildlife. Warmer temperatures, lush landscapes, and longer ...

Mar 2025
amanda cutrer palmetto bluff

Real Estate
Behind the Bluff: Palmetto Bluff Sales Executive Amanda Cutrer

Amanda’s Journey to Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Company Tucked along the banks of the May River, Palmetto Bluff is where history, nature, and timeless design come together to create something truly special. For Amanda Cutrer, a dedicated sales agent with Palme...

Mar 2025
palmetto bluff club members

Club Life
A Day in the Life of a Palmetto Bluff Member

Palmetto Bluff Members: A Look into the Lifestyle Imagine waking up to a cascading canopy of natural oak trees. You can hear the sounds of the May River careening in the background and smell the aroma of finely ground espresso slowly engulfing your waterfront...

Mar 2025

Conservation
Songbirds of Spring

As April approaches the promise of spring is unmistakable here at the Bluff, especially for bird enthusiasts. Above us, migratory flocks signal the start of a new season. Northern parulas, often among the first to migrate, arrive early in March. Their song—a r...

Mar 2025

Club Life
Pilates Reformers: Forming New Ways to Stay Fit

Palmetto Bluff's Fitness and Wellness team keeps residents energized by introducing innovative equipment like the Pilates reformer. As part of the exclusive wellness amenities available to residents, this versatile machine features a sliding carriage, resistan...

Mar 2025
moreland village

Real Estate
Real Estate Spotlight: Moreland Village Homes

Explore All Moreland Village Has to Offer at Palmetto Bluff Moreland Village at Palmetto Bluff offers a rare blend of Lowcountry charm, modern amenities, and a deep connection to nature. Surrounded by the serene waters of the Inland Waterway, the New River, a...

Feb 2025

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us