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KenA
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| Joined: | Sat Feb 5th, 2005 |
| Location: | Denton, TX |
| Posts: | 14 |
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Posted: Sun Feb 6th, 2005 08:12 pm |
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Hey all,
I am new to this forum and would like to know when to expect the free-tails to be moving up through north Texas. I live just north of DFW in Denton, TX and have a two-chamber house I made out of leftover wood.
Also, the place I am looking to install it is about 15 feet from some trees in one quadrant and open space the rest. Do they need room to fly completely around the housing or can they egress and ingress from the remaining 180 degree clear area. I am choosing this location because the box will get all morning and half afternoon sun, with shade towards the later day to sunset. I think if the box was in the open space with all day sun, that would be too hot in TX.
Thanks in advance
KenA
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Joe Spencer
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2002 |
| Location: | Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 539 |
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Posted: Tue Feb 8th, 2005 06:19 pm |
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Ken Mark Kiser who hails from your state may be able to answer this one better than myself. If your patient he will likely provide some valuable insight if possible. If your bat houses are painted the correct shades for your area as well as designed correctly your success ratio is increased as long as other criteria is met such as nearby water sources etc. If at all possible please post some photos in our "bat house photos and links" section that we and especially Mark can further assist. 
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Mark Kiser
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| Joined: | Tue Mar 12th, 2002 |
| Location: | Austin, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 58 |
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Posted: Tue Feb 8th, 2005 09:10 pm |
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Hi Ken,
Free-tailed bats may start arriving in Texas in late January to early February. I've had free-tails in my bat house as early as Feb. 5.
They continue migrating until April. We're expecting them back any day now, if the weather will just cooperate. You might see them in 2 to 3 weeks, just a guess.
Free-tails like a lot of maneuvering room, as they have long skinny wings built for fast, high altitude flight. They are not as good at flying in cluttered areas. Having 180 deg. open to the front of the box should suffice, however, but you can also try a back-to-back pair in full sun, with one house facing north and the other facing south, with a tin roof over the pair.
Leave about a 3 to 6 inch overhang on both sides and you can plant the pair in full sun, even in TX and FL. Suitable colors are light to medium for full sun all day, medium is also good for 6-8 hours sun per day in central and north TX.
Hope this helps. Good luck and keep us posted.
Mark Kiser
Coordinator, Bat House Project
bathouses@batcon.org
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Mark Kiser
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| Joined: | Tue Mar 12th, 2002 |
| Location: | Austin, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 58 |
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Posted: Tue Feb 8th, 2005 09:14 pm |
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Hi again,
On the back to back pair suggestion, I meant to say, try this in an open, sunny area away from any trees. The north/south pairing works great for free-tails across TX and the southeast.
Cheers,
Mark Kiser
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KenA
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| Joined: | Sat Feb 5th, 2005 |
| Location: | Denton, TX |
| Posts: | 14 |
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Posted: Thu Feb 10th, 2005 08:59 pm |
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Thanks for the input guys,
Is it a forgone conclusion that my site will not be attractive since I do not have a good water source nearby? There is a little stream about 1 mile away, and probably small ponds even closer, but the closest real lake is about 3 miles straight line from here.
I will post a pic of my homemade house on the other picture area for critique by you all.
Thanks again
KenA
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100+ bat capacity house ready for immediate occupation...
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Joe Spencer
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2002 |
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Posted: Fri Feb 11th, 2005 12:19 am |
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Only time will tell KenA but your design looks pretty good. When using plywood, grooves help alot. I had no success with single or even dual chamber bat houses on poles or trees. I have always had more success with multiple chamber nursery houses with more thermal mass. I have had much success as many have with single or dual chamber bat houses on buildings which obviously the bat house becomes an extension of. You did use 5/8" plywood which is thicker and heavier so that may indeed help with thermal mass. If you mount them back to back you will likely have more success if they are flush back to back and secured on the sides which is affixed to a couple poles. There are photos etc. out there which depict this. The Bat House Builder's Handbook illustrates this approach as well. Post if you need clarification. Can't wait to see your pictures once erected! Nice going... HERE's KenA's BAT HOUSES:
http://www.batnic.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=150 :thumbup:
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Mark Kiser
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| Joined: | Tue Mar 12th, 2002 |
| Location: | Austin, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 58 |
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Posted: Mon Feb 14th, 2005 08:29 pm |
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Free-tailed bats don't have to be as close to water as other bat house users in the US. They are built for long-distance travel and often roost farther than 1/4 mile from water.
Mark
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KenA
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| Joined: | Sat Feb 5th, 2005 |
| Location: | Denton, TX |
| Posts: | 14 |
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Posted: Wed Feb 16th, 2005 12:32 am |
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Thanks for the replies, guys!
KenA
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