Ocupación de cajas-refugio por murciélagos en el parque de Salburua (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Abstract

Salbura park (Vitoria-Gasteiz) is a natural wetland and a good hunting area for bats, but with scarcity of roosts. The absence of roosts can be a limiting factor for bat populations. Hence, 95 Schwegler bat-boxes were placed in 2008 (1FF, 1FW, 2F with double front panel and 2FN models). They have been checked between 2010 and 2015 in order to detect the species that live in and their preferences. Four species have been recorded: Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Nyctalus leisleri and Myotis daubentonii. The first one is dominant (86% of the records) and the only one that has been found throughout the year. Occupation of bat-boxes has steadily increased, reaching 38% in September 2015. Comparing the 2F with double front panel bat-box with the 2FN bat-box, the first one is the most used. Bat-box success is positively and significantly influenced by insolation. The presence of mice, birds, wasps or bumblebees reduce bat-box occupation, so regular checking and cleaning is recommended.