Bats at Hullett
Hullett Marsh is home to several essential bat species, including the Big Brown Bat, the Little Brown Bat, and the Tricolored Bat, which rely on the marsh’s diverse wetlands and forests for roosting and foraging.
These nocturnal mammals play a critical ecological role as natural pest controllers, with a single bat capable of consuming thousands of insects—including agricultural pests and mosquitoes—every night.
Despite their importance, local populations are under severe pressure from White-Nose Syndrome, a devastating fungal disease that has led to the endangered status of several species in Ontario.
To combat these threats and habitat loss, conservation efforts at the marsh include the installation of bat boxes and the preservation of quality foraging habitat to ensure safe nesting sites and ample food availability for future generations of bats.
Bat Research and Habitat Creation
Through collaborative efforts with both Titley Scientific and Hoskin Scientific, Friends of Hullett conducted an acoustic survey in May 2025 to assess the bat diversity within the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area. Using an Anabat Express bat detector, the primary objective was to identify the bat species inhabiting the marsh and effectively communicate their ecological significance to the public.​
Students at F.E. Madill Secondary School learned a lot about bats through three educational sessions with the Friends of Hullett! They explored threats to bat populations, discovered the vital ecological role bats play (like eating insects!), and even got hands-on with an Anabat Express unit to understand acoustic monitoring. Plus, they learned all about the different bat species living right here in our area.​
Through the use of these specialized acoustic devices, FoH staff found that bats prefer remote, undisturbed areas like the Whistler Pool, while avoiding high-traffic spots such as the Sugarbush Parking Lot. This suggests that human activity might be impacting bat populations. Using these findings, staff are working to strategically place 30 new bat boxes, built by students from F.E. Madill Secondary School, providing much-needed homes for these ecologically vital creatures and boosting conservation efforts in the marsh.
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A special thanks to our partners in bat protection:
