maternity roosting requirements of the Small-footed myotis. 



SUMMARY 



Eight species of bats were documented on the Townsend Ranger 

 District during five nights of mist-netting during the 

 summer of 1992. Two of these species, the Townsend ' s big- 

 eared bat, and the Fringed myotis are on the Montana Natural 

 Heritage Program's sensitive species list. The Townsend ' s 

 big-eared bat is also listed by the U.S. Forest Service 

 Northern Region as a sensitive species. Females of the 

 Townsend 's big-eared bat, the Small- footed myotis, and the 

 Long-legged myotis suggest that maternity colonies probably 

 exist in the vicinity. 



The species diversity and the presence of rare and sensitive 

 bat species indicates that portions of the Townsend Ranger 

 District of the Helena National Forest are excellent habitat 

 for bats. Management activities to maintain this habitat 

 will need to protect and preserve caves, ensure that old 

 mine adits are un-occupied in summer, autumn, and winter 

 before blocking entrances, maintain water sources, and 

 maintain a diversity of habitats that include, where 

 applicable, mature hardwoods, older stands of Douglas fir, 

 and healthy riparian areas. 



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