Lasiurine Bats in Nova Scotia

Abstract

Three lasiurine bat species, Lasionycteris noctivagans (Silver-haired Bat), Lasiurus cinereus (Hoary Bat), and Lasiurus borealis (Red Bat), have been recorded in inland, coastal, and offshore locations as of Nova Scotia. Although these records occurred over a century, 70% are from the mid-1990s or later, largely because of research in mainland Nova Scotia, and increased interest on Sable Island. The 65 records presented here include 11, 25, and 29 for Silver-haired, Hoary, and Red bats, respectively, of which 31 are previously unpublished. Seventy-seven percent of records are from August through November, the autumn migration period for lasiurine bats. These observations suggest that most autumn occurrences of these species in Nova Scotia are not extralimital, but are part of normal migratory patterns in the province.