Bat fauna monitoring in urban landscapes of Podillia (Ukraine) based on results of the work of Kamianets-Podilskyi contact centre

Abstract

The work of Kamianets-Podilskyi bat contact centre (KPCC) started in 2012. During 2012–2017, the contact centre received 112 calls and the species of bats were identified in case of 82 calls. Only 8 (7.1 %) cases of bats were transferred to detention or rehabilitation. New data were obtained on the distribution of some rare species of bats in Podillia. One species — Pipistrellus kuhlii — was observed for the first time in winter in the region. The number of calls additionally confirms the capacity of contact centres as an instrument of fauna research and monitoring, in particular in urban landscapes. For the time of work of the contact centre data on five species of bats (Pipistrellus kuhlii, Eptesicus serotinus, Plecotus austriacus, and Rhinolophus hipposideros) were collected. Among the identified species, the most abundant is Nyctalus noctula (90.2 %). Pipistrellus kuhlii was recorded for the first time wintering in Khmelnitsky region.

Keywords

• bats
• fauna
• monitoring
• conservation
• contact centres
• Central Podillia (Ukraine)