The use of artificial roosting structures by long‐tailed bats ( <i>Chalinolobus tuberculatus</i> ) and non‐target wildlife

ABSTRACT Globally, artificial wildlife structures are used widely to enhance breeding habitat or provide shelter for a host of wildlife species. They are commonly used to enhance roosting habitat for tree‐dwelling bats. A remnant population of Nationally Critical long‐tailed bats ( Chalinolobus tuberculatus ) survives in South Canterbury, New Zealand, but optimal roosting habitat is rare and breeding success low. To enhance breeding habitat, 96 Schwegler bat boxes were deployed as artificial wildlife structures in trees in regenerating indigenous forest ( n = 44) and farmland ( n = 52) close to known, but poor quality, maternity roosts. Schwegler boxes have similar thermal properties to high quality natural roosts. Boxes were inspected five times over 12 years. Long‐tailed bats, or their signs, were detected in 10% of boxes. In addition, a new population of geckos ( Woodworthia ‘Southern Alps’) was detected (occupying 26% of boxes), South Island rifleman ( Acanthisitta chloris chloris ) nested in 35% of boxes and a range of invertebrates was detected, but not identified, except for Canterbury tree wētā ( Hemideina femorata ; 40% of the boxes). Most occupancies were in regenerating forest. While boxes were unsuccessful at attracting large numbers of long‐tailed bats, use by other wildlife was unforeseen, suggesting a useful tool for sampling wildlife in arboreal habitats.