By Sadie Rozics
When choosing my undergraduate thesis project at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, I knew I wanted to collaborate with an organization in my home state of Maryland so that my work could be mutually beneficial and hands-on, giving back to my community.
After connecting with Natural Heritage Program staff, we collaborated to select a project, conducting acoustic surveys at Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area to investigate the presence of bat species and their habitat use.
Soldiers Delight, near where I grew up in Baltimore County, is renowned for its rare serpentine ecosystem, which hosts unique plants and geology. Despite its rare habitat, it had never been surveyed for bats before, and we hoped that my project could help gather data for their summer surveys and inform future conservation efforts.
To fill this data gap, bat echolocation activity was recorded using stationary acoustic detectors that can pick up sounds our ears can’t hear. These were deployed across four representative habitats: open meadow, riparian woodland, pond, and serpentine grassland. Recordings like this enable us to investigate the species that inhabit Soldiers Delight and their use of different habitats within this ecosystem.
An acoustic detector setup used to record bat echolocation calls in a meadow at Soldiers Delight. Photo by Sadie Rozics, University of Aberdeen.
The results? Lots of exciting bat activity! Our surveys detected a range of species across Soldiers Delight’s meadow, pond, and riparian woodland habitats, indicating that these habitats are essential for conservation. The big brown bat and Eastern red bat were the most frequently detected species.
However, a variety of less common species were also heard, an exciting indicator of local biodiversity. This discovery is prompting researchers to mark the area for further research like mist-netting. Interestingly, acoustic detections were absent in the serpentine grassland, raising questions about what environmental factors, such as prey availability, vegetation structure, or distance from water, might influence habitat avoidance. Overall, my project helped to show that Soldiers Delight plays an important role for bats in central Maryland. It also opens the door for future research into the use of the area by less common species, as well as how bats utilize the serpentine ecosystems, which is still poorly understood.
A Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) being held for data collection during a field survey. Photo by: Sadie Rozics, University of Aberdeen.
During this project, I was given another unique and valuable opportunity to join researchers from Bat Conservation and Management for a mist-netting session in another part of Maryland. I learned a great deal from these incredible people, including what the process is like, what data they collect, and how to catch, handle, and survey bats quickly and safely. To top it all off, I had the chance to see the beautiful Northern long-eared bat up close and in person. Seeing and collecting data on this endangered species firsthand was an unforgettable moment, reinforcing the importance of continuing to monitor and protect Maryland bat populations.
A Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) with its wing stretched out while being examined during a field survey. Photo by Sadie Rozics, University of Aberdeen.
Why it matters: Maryland bats are insectivores and serve as natural pest controllers. Their feeding activity reduces pest populations, benefits agriculture, and decreases the need for pesticides. Bats also serve as bioindicators of environmental health as they are sensitive to environmental changes such as climate, water availability, and habitat quality. Unfortunately, many of Maryland’s species have declined due to habitat loss, deaths from wind turbine interference, and white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has decimated populations across North America. Many species, including the Northern long-eared bat, are now listed as endangered at both state and federal levels. Establishing a baseline for bat activity at Soldiers Delight supports ongoing efforts to monitor populations and identify key habitats for conservation across Maryland.
A Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) being held upright for documentation during a field survey. Photo by Sadie Rozics, University of Aberdeen.
The good news: There are practical ways anyone can support bat conservation.
- Plant a bat-friendly garden with native host plants for nocturnal insects; this increases insect prey, providing foraging opportunities. Native trees, such as oaks, provide a roosting structure, and a clean water source creates a drinking spot; learn more about supporting bats with gardening on DNR’s webpage and from Bat Conservation International.
- Install a bat box on your property to help restore lost or degraded habitat for roosting, and you can even build a bat box yourself!
- Find public engagement opportunities, such as guided bat walks at Maryland’s nature centers and parks, where participants of all ages learn about local species and acoustic monitoring techniques.
- You can also participate in citizen science initiatives by identifying bats with the DNR’s bat ID key and UMD’s “Which Bat Is that?” and report roosts using the DNR’s roost reporting form. Overall, these methods help support researchers in their ongoing efforts to protect Maryland’s bats.
- As seasons change, Maryland’s bats prepare for migration or hibernation. Turn off lights whenever possible at night, especially bright white outdoor lights that attract more insects than yellow-type lights, and leave the leaves to avoid interfering in these natural cycles.
Reflecting on my experience conducting fieldwork at Soldiers Delight, I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the critical work the Maryland DNR is doing to understand and conserve these amazing animals. Understanding their echolocation calls and seeing them in person has sparked a deep love and passion for these animals, highlighting just how crucial they are for maintaining the health of our ecosystems. Continued research at Soldiers Delight will refine our understanding of local bat ecology and inform future conservation strategies to help support Maryland’s bat populations.
For more information on bats or contributing to bat conservation, visit the DNR’s Guide to Maryland’s Bats and their Native Animal Profile.
The face of a Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) being held during a field survey. Photo by Sadie Rozics, University of Aberdeen.
Sadie Rozics, undergraduate student at the University of Aberdeen studying animal behavior, graduating 2026.
