Results of the pioneer survey of potential bat hibernacula in Albania (2012–2015)

Abstract

For the first time at a national scale in Albania, a winter bat population census in potential hibernacula has been implemented during the four winters (early 2012, 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/15). 178 potential hibernation sites have been visited. During the visits of natural caves, bunkers, tunnels, buildings and mines we recorded at least 9 bat species: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (28 sites), R. hipposideros (36 sites), R. blasii (1 site), R. euryale (3 sites), Myotis myotis/oxygnatus (blythii) (4 sites), M. capaccinii (6 sites), Pipistrellus sp. (2 sites), Hypsugo savii (1 site) and Miniopterus schreibersii (9 sites). The data presented are substantial additions to knowledge on the distribution of these species and their roosts in Albania, and will form a basis for bat population monitoring and, at the same time, for improving conservation measures in Albania and the wider region.V štirih zimah (začetek 2012, 2012/2013, 2013/2014 in 014/15) je bil v Albaniji prvič na državnem nivoju opravljen popis prezimujočih netopirjev. Pregledanih je bilo 178 možnih prezimovališč. Med obiski naravnih jam, bunkerjev, tunelov, zgradb in rudnikov je bilo opaženih najmanj 9 vrst netopirjev: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (28 lokacij), R. hipposideros (36 lokacij), R. blasii (1 lokacija), R. euryale (3 lokacije), Myotis myotis/oxygnatus (blythii) (4 lokacije), M. capaccinii (6 lokacij), Pipistrellus sp. (2 lokaciji), Hypsugo savii (1 lokacija) in Miniopterus schreibersii (9 lokacij). Predstavljeni rezultati v veliki meri prispevajo k poznavanju razširjenosti teh vrst in njihovih zatočišč v Albaniji ter bodo osnova za monitoring populacij netopirjev in za izboljšanje ohranitvenih ukrepov tako v Albaniji kot v širši regiji.