Kindersley kids learn all about bats!

By Joan Janzen

The Kindersley Library arranged for the University of Saskatchewan Biology Outreach Department to come to Kindersley and teach about bats. Yes, that's right, bats! The U of S offered a free 'citizen science research program' to learn more about those small flying rodents.

Three separate information sessions on bats were given to the Grade 1, Grade 3 and Grade 4 students at Westberry Elementary School on Thursday, September 28. The kids all came home equipped with a lot of knowledge of bats to share with their parents and grandparents. The kids were all excited!

A representative from the U of S Biology Outreach Department instructed children and their families about bats and showed them how a bat detector works while on an exploration walk at the Kindersley Walking Trail.

Illustration of a bat detector and how it works.

And they were even more excited to explore at the Kindersley Walking Trail, where their instructor helped detect bats. About sixty parents, grandparents and children showed up for the exploration walk. With the help of an ultrasound detector, they soon discovered whether or not bats hung out at the Kindersley Walking Trail.

The group was told there are eight varieties of bats in Saskatchewan. Three of those varieties migrate and are already heading to warmer climates. The other five species hibernate, but at this point, no one knows where. Bats eat insects and pests that harm farmers' crops, and their predators include owls and falcons.

Before beginning the walk, the bat detector tracked a sizeable brown bat flying overhead. Although no one saw it, the instrument detected its call and the flapping of its wings and recorded it as being a large brown bat. A bunch of excited children ran ahead as the group followed behind. No more bats were detected. Perhaps the timid creatures had been scared off by all the excitement.

It was interesting to discover when this event was held at Moose Jaw earlier in September; it was so popular an additional evening session was added. Library patrons were also able to borrow bat detector kits and contribute to bat research in Saskatchewan.

Pat Perkins at the Kindersley Library said a couple of bat detectors would be in circulation in a week or so. Hopefully, they will be available before the weather cools off and the bats go into hibernation.