The Town of Marana is looking for volunteers to help monitor its hummingbird feeders as part of a study to learn more about a federally endangered bat species that migrates north from Mexico.
The town is in need of volunteer bat monitors for the nighttime hummingbird feeder and bat monitoring study, which is an effort between the city, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Now in its 10th year, the study recruits "citizen scientists" throughout the southern portion of the state who monitor their hummingbird feeders for signs of the Mexican long-tongued bats and the long-nosed bats. This particular species of bat travels throughout Southern Arizona to feed on saguaros and agave blooms, but often eat out of hummingbird feeders.
According to the town, the project is designed to document the ecology of this bat species, particularly looking at when the bats arrive in Arizona, their movement patterns, and when they depart the area. The information gathered will help protect the species.
Those interested in volunteering for this year's hummingbird feeder monitoring project can visit www.maranaaz.gov/bats to sign up and receive additional information.