On Friday night, August 27th at 7:30 PM, visitors of all ages can join experts from Mass Audubon to walk the property using bat detectors and in real-time, listen to and identify the bats flying overhead.
“Bats are the most interesting, flying mammals known and the Willard House property is an ideally suited bat habitat,” says Mass Audubon Education Manager and Conservation Coordinator, Martha Gach. “We will have a chance to learn and hear how bats use a time-centric tool, echolocation, to navigate the Willard House surroundings and capture mosquitoes as a meal.”
According to Mass Audubon, there are nine bat species specific to Massachusetts. “Bats have used the land habitat of the Willard property before it ever was established,” comments Willard House Program Coordinator, Beverly Snow. “I hope we will get to listen to the ultrasonic calls of an Eastern Red, Hoary or Little Brown bat.”
Cost is $6.00 per family group. The money will go into continuing family programs.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their iPhones or iPads as they can have the chance to download a free bat detector app and go home with a bat recording from the evening.
And don’t forget to pack mosquito repellent.
Download the EchoMeter Touch App for your iPhone or iPad.
The rain date for the bat walk will be Saturday evening, 7:30PM August 28th.
This unique event was made possible by a generous donation from the Wegmans of Northborough Community Giving Program.