Hibernation of bats in post-Soviet military objects in Poland

Abstract

In the years 2004-2018, data on bats wintering in 9 sites of the Northern Group of the Soviet Army (PGWAR) stationed in the years 1945-1993 in Poland were obtained. A total of at least 11 bat species were found: greater mouse-eared bat Myotis myotis, Natterer’s bat M. nattereri, Daubenton’s bat M. daubentonii, Bechstein’s bat M. bechsteinii, whiskered/Brandt’s/Alcathoe bats M. mystacinus/brandtii/alcathoe, brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus, grey long-eared bat P. austriacus, western barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus, serotine bat Eptesicus serotinus, common noctule Nyctalus noctula, common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus and bats determined to the genus Pipistrellus. From 6 to 449 individuals hibernated in the facilities. Noteworthy is the presence of three species from Annex II of the Habitats Directive of EU. In most of the facilities, M. myotis and B. barbastellus were found, and M. bechsteinii in Wilkocin only. Wintering sites were used by numerous bats and also by endangered species therefore those buildings should be advisable to be covered with forms of nature protection.