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discussion / Acoustics  / 30 April 2024

Affordable acoustic monitors for "whispering" bats?

Chris Cosma

Chris Cosma

Ecologist and conservation biologist with a focus on insects and plant-insect interactions

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Hi everyone,

New here and new to bat acoustic monitoring. I'll be conducting a study where I'd like to acoustically monitor bats, including "whispering" (relatively quiet) bats that I understand can be hard to detect with certain less sensitive equipment. For example, Townsend's long-eared bat. I was planning to use Audiomoths, but I'm afraid they won't be sensitive enough. I need them to be portable, weatherproof, and capable of running for a week or more on a portable battery in the field. Preferably also below $1000 (US) per unit. Does anyone have any recommendations for acoustic monitors that would fit the bill? 

Thanks! 

Chris



Carly Batist
@carlybatist  | she/her
Science Outreach Lead-Rainforest Connection (RFCx) & Arbimon; Ecoacoustics, biodiversity monitoring, primates, lemurs
Involvement Tier 4
WILDLABS Alumni
WILDLABS Event Speaker

30 April 2024 8:43pm

In addition to Audiomoths, there are also EchoMeters from Wildlife Acoustics which are $750. 

Depending on how your electrical engineering skills are, there is also the self-build pi-pistrelle bat detector, made by Phil Atkin, which really gives you a low-cost option!