Our Work
Phase I Potential Bat Hibernacula Assessment, Proposed Development Project, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, 2023
Description
KES was contracted to conduct a Phase I bat hibernacula assessment and prepare a report of findings for a proposed development project in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Openings were assessed using the Potential Hibernacula Survey Guidance of the 2023 Rangewide Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat Survey Guidelines. Twenty-one openings, including one culvert/tunnel and twenty caves were located and assessed. Seventeen of the openings could not be excluded as potential habitat for hibernating bats.
Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat Biological Assessment, 2023
Description
KES was contracted to conduct a bat habitat assessment and prepare a Biological Assessment for a proposed development project in Cornwall, New York. A field investigation to document suitable foraging and summer roosting habitat was conducted at the site. Because the site is within known Indiana bat habitat and suitable bat habitat was documented at the site, a Biological Assessment analyzing potential impacts to bats was prepared and submitted to the USFWS. The Biological Assessment contains conservation measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to bats, and avoid the need for an Incidental Take Permit and formal consultation with the Service.
Allegheny Woodrat Camera Trap Presence-Absence Survey, Electric Transmission Line Project, Central Pennsylvania, 2023
Description
KES was contracted to conduct an Allegheny woodrat camera trap presence-absence survey for a proposed transmission line rebuild in Blair and Huntingdon Counties, Pennsylvania. A total of 64 baited infrared cameras were placed across three habitat sites. Cameras were left in place for 14 nights. Photographs were analyzed for the presence of Allegheny woodrats and other mammals and a report was submitted to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. No Allegheny woodrats were observed, and the project received agency clearance. Twelve other mammal species were observed over the course of the survey.
Wetland Delineation, Proposed Well Pad and Waterline Project, Tioga County, PA, 2023
Description
KES was contracted to conduct a wetland delineation for a proposed well pad and waterline in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Wetlands were delineated and classified in accordance with USACE, Technical Report Y-87-1, Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Northcentral and Northeast Region V. 2.0 One palustrine forested wetland associated with two intermittent streams, four palustrine emergent wetlands, and two palustrine scrub-shrub wetlands were identified during delineations. A report of findings was submitted to the client.
Bat Emergence and Acoustic Surveys, Demolish Non-historic Structures Project, Cape Cod National Seashore, 2022
Description
KES biologists conducted bat emergence and acoustic surveys for the Demolish Non-Historic Structures Project at Cape Cod National Seashore. The National Park Service was proposing to demolish dilapidated, abandoned structures and associated trees for access. The USFWS identified a potential impact on the northern long-eared bat and recommended surveys for the species to aid in determination of effect. Three nights of emergence surveys were conducted at 6 structures and 44 trees, and an acoustic survey was conducted at 25 buildings within an old military installation. No evidence of bat use or roosting bats were observed during physical inspections or emergence surveys, and no bat calls were auto classified or manually confirmed as the northern long-eared bat. Recommended conservation measures to avoid and mitigate for impacts to bats included time of year restrictions on demolition activities and creation of alternate roosting habitat.
USACE Bat Acoustic Surveys at Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes, Tioga County, PA, 2021
Description
Drew and Tracey conducted bat acoustic surveys on USACE lands surrounding Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. The goal of the survey was to inform the USACE of bat species presence with an emphasis on federal and Pennsylvania state listed species to help guide management decisions. A total of 108 acoustic sites were surveyed following the USFWS 2021 Indiana and Northern Long-eared Bat Summer Survey Guidelines. Acoustic data was collected using Wildlife Acoustics’ Song Meter Mini Bat recorders and analyzed per site per night using Kaleidoscope 5.4.0. Qualitative analysis of all calls identified as Myotis or Perimyotis was conducted to confirm identification. Presence was confirmed for the northern long-eared bat, little brown bat, eastern small-footed bat, and tricolored bat at one or more acoustic sites. A report was submitted to the USACE upon completion of the field work that included recommendations for maintaining and improving bat habitat on site.
