Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2026
Winter 2026 Tricolored Bat Counts on the Rise by Katherine Etchison, Mammalogist
N CWRC staff conducted bat hibernacula counts during winter 2026 and noted increasing tricolored bat counts at five of eight long-term mountain sites surveyed. Count increases ranged from 3 to 47 tricolored bats and some of these increased counts occurred in areas that sustained severe damage from Tropical Storm Helene. Five of the hibernacula surveyed were near landslides, but no impacts to hibernacula or bats were observed. Additionally, one hibernaculum was flooded during Tropical Storm Helene, but the tricolored count remained similar to previous surveys. Four additional bat hibernacula surveys were scheduled this winter but were postponed until next year because of severe access issues resulting from tree blowdowns and landslides during Helene. Tricolored bat counts also increased in four long-term Piedmont hibernacula with one site showing an increase of 23 tricolored bats since 2024. The tricolored bat is state listed as endangered and is pro- posed to be listed as federally endangered. Populations of this species have decreased dramatically in western North Carolina since the arrival of White-nose Syndrome in the state, so documenting increas- ing hibernacula counts is a step in the right direction.
KATHERINE ETCHISON/NCWRC
Wildlife Diversity Technician, Joey Weber, looks for hibernating bats in cave.
KATHERINE ETCHISON/NCWRC
KATHERINE ETCHISON/NCWRC
Left to Right: A tricolored bat with signs of White-nose Syndrome seen in a McDowell County hibernaculum. A cluster of hibernat- ing tricolored bats seen in a Henderson County cave.
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