Use of Forest Tracks by Commuting or Foraging Bats in a Forest-lake Landscape: A Case Study in the Wigry National Park, Poland

Studies on the use of forest tracks by bats were carried out in the forest-lake landscape of the Wigry National Park (NE Poland). Netting was performed in July and August 2023 at 14 sites situated near water bodies and at 14 sites remote from waters. In total, 396 individuals belonging to 11 species were caught. Tracks were most often used by Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis daubentonii and Pipistrellus pygmaeus (55% of all caught bats). Eptesicus serotinus and Barbastella barbastellus were more numerous on tracks remote from waters. The group of species known to feed over waters or in riparian habitats (M. daubentonii, N. noctula and Pipistrellus spp.) was represented more frequently on tracks near waters. Forest tracks in the studied landscape are important feeding grounds and corridors for commuting to feeding grounds for many bat species.