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The April 2026 Members’ dinner meeting was held on April 15th at the Oakland Christian Church Community Life Center. The dinner meal consisted of ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls and a variety of deserts. As usual, the cooking committee did a great job.<\/p>\n
The guest speaker for April was wildlife biologist Dana Spontak, known to his friends and colleagues as the \u201cBat Man\u201d.<\/p>\n
He reviewed the many projects that he has supported and led as a certified biologist and provided an informative talk on bats, their history, habitat and things we can do to help them.<\/p>\n
He stated that bats and bat lore are woven throughout history, literature and culture.\u00a0 There\u2019s a \u201cbat month\u201d\u2014October.<\/p>\n
There are about 1500 species of bats and next to rodents they are the second most populous warm-blooded species on Earth.\u00a0 They are very adaptable which has led to their proliferation, but that is changing.\u00a0 Habitat degradation and loss have negatively impacted bats as well as other species.\u00a0 Bats are also being eliminated by a contact-contagious fungal disease, White Nose Syndrome.\u00a0 It typically affects cave-dwelling bats.\u00a0 At this time there is no known cure.<\/p>\n
Dana reviewed bat anatomy and explained the \u201cblind as a bat\u201d saying is not technically correct.\u00a0 Bats use echo-location for finding insects, but they have fully functional eyes.\u00a0 Bats typically migrate and hibernate or go into torpor and normally are in the Hampton Roads area from spring to early fall.<\/p>\n
He provided some methods to assist our mosquito-eating neighbors.\u00a0 He recommended only cutting trees in the winter months or after having an assessment done to determine if bats are present.\u00a0 Department of Wildlife Resources has information on bats, their habitats, and how to build bat houses.\u00a0 Bat Conservation International has information on gardening for bats and additional information on bat houses.\u00a0 He also stated that in order to attract bats you need to provide a water source, have clear flight path(s), keep pets\u2014especially cats\u2014inside at night, turn outside lights off or on low.\u00a0 He also said that bat houses are best mounted on poles about 10 to 15 feet off of the ground in a clear area.\u00a0 If you do install a bat house, it should be cleaned in the winter months using a stiff, dry brush.<\/p>\n
President Chris Ferguson swore in two new members, Maurice Stallings and Terry West pictured below from left to right. Welcome to the chapter gentlemen.<\/p>\n
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The April 2026 Members’ dinner meeting was held on April 15th at the Oakland Christian Church Community Life Center. The dinner meal consisted of ham, sweet \u2026 Read more