The mosquitoes and black flies are atrocious this year at my place. I assume this is due to the constant rain we’ve had, but perhaps a contributing factor is the level of bat deaths caused by white nose syndrome. We’ve discussed it several times; the Burlington Free-Press has a good summary article today, which makes the starting claim that Vermont “has lost perhaps two-thirds of its bats” in three years. From the story: “Some researchers have begun to use the word ‘extinction’ when they discuss the future of some once-abundant bat species.”

Come to think of it, I haven’t noticed any bats flittering overhead at dusk this summer; there are usually some living in my slightly dilapidated former chicken house. That can’t help the mosquito population. (Perhaps I should report this to the online reporting form hosted on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website - http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Sick_Acting_Bat_Citizen_Reporting_Form.cfm - that New Hampshire is cooperating with.

On the other hand, the biting bugs weren’t that bad during our vacation this week in Coos County and Baxter State Park, places that are usually full of flying annoyances.

Tags: bats; white-nose syndrome