Ecological Notes on Lasiurus Cinereus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Oklahoma

Lasiurus cinereus, the hoary bat, is widely distributed across the United States (1); however, in Oklahoma only 19 specimens have been reported (2) during the last 59 years. From May to August of 1985, 16 additional individuals were mist netted in southeastern Oklahoma (LeFlore and Pushmataha counties, Table 1). These are noteworthy in that they nearly double the number recorded in the state and add to our knowledge of the species ' ecology. It is not readily apparent why we were able to collect almost as many L. cinereus in one summer as have been collected in the past 59 years in Oklahoma. One explanation may be that the mist-netting technique we used was different than that used by previous collectors in Oklahoma. In addition to the traditional size (2.1 m high x 5.5-18.3 m long) mist nets, we used a high mist net. The high net consisted of three 9.1 m long mist nets hoisted one above the other with a pulley system. When raised, the nets extended upward 7.6 m and covered a 69.3 m area. Even though traditional single nets as well as a few double high nets were used, all the hoary bats were taken in the high net. Capture heights (Table 1) ranged from 0.6 to 6.1 m, with a median height of 2.3 m and an average of 2.8 m above the ground. These heights are slightly higher than that of a traditional set using a single net, and may in part account for our success. Even with extensive netting (a total of 189 mist nets: 52 triple high nets; 2