Recent Studies into the Migration of Bats

WRN Hybrid Meeting - January 26, 2026
Meeting starts 7:30 pm, presenters on shortly after 8:00 pm

Migration is a crucial, yet demanding component of the life history of many animals, often spanning thousands of kilometers and posing significant challenges to survival. Studying migration can be particularly challenging for cryptic and nocturnal species. Bats, one of the most diverse mammalian taxa, display migratory behaviors that vary from short regional movements to long continental migrations. In Canada, three bat species undertake long-distance latitudinal migrations, all of which are listed as endangered due to the increased mortality during migration caused by wind turbines. Our research focuses on the habitat requirements of one of these species, the Silver-haired Bat, during migratory stopovers. While out in the field working on this project we got word of a remarkable observation made by two citizen scientists. They observed a large diurnal migration of Silver-Haired Bats over Lake Michigan. Over 400 bats were seen flying towards shore, with more than 100 observed roosting at a nearby park in Chicago. While systematic studies allow us to test hypotheses about the natural world, it is often these rare observations that highlight how much we have yet to understand about natural phenomena such as migration.

Beatriz Nogueira e Figueira is a graduate researcher at the University of Waterloo under the supervision of Dr. Liam McGuire, specializing in the ecology and physiology of migratory bats. Her work focuses on the endangered Silver-Haired Bat during its migration, an understudied yet critical period in the species’ life cycle. As an early-career scientist, Beatriz is driven by a vision of connecting people with nature through education, and advancing research that supports the long-term protection of Canada’s most vulnerable wildlife.

This will be a hybrid meeting and you can choose to attend either in-person or via Zoom. All are welcome to attend. Attending in-person requires no registration ahead of time. If attending via zoom, please note that the presenter is generally not on 'till 8 PM or shortly thereafter.

To attend via Zoom, please register at: [https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LrzKKl3ARNGm4kRQIRIV5g](https://urldefense.com/v3/https:/ml.waterlooregionnature.ca/link/c/YT0yOTI1NjE3ODEzMjQ0NjE0MTY2JmM9eDBwMSZlPTE5MjgmYj0xNTExODM1OTQ4JmQ9YjZ4NGM4ZQ==.qOQV8-HMf8eD-fWCyNarXEZHn2G40VJ0yzotipSkMj4;!!ECJmQIuuLqA!GcfOVl3SHoGKMUvG_cj4Oe1jSM4GlJKqKT_E8FY5UBYhfntjqrxWy8V2oXAYeAOmSfdFyotojvpHktFwQ-_XVP0z$)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

In Person: Doors open at 7pm at Knox Presbyterian Church Hall
50 Erb Street West, Waterloo, Ontario.

Public Transit: There are ION LRT stations nearby at Waterloo Public Square and at Willis Way. The route 5 bus stops on Erb Street West between Father David Bauer Drive and Caroline Street. The route 7 and route 16 buses stop on King Street near the Waterloo Public Square station.

PARKING:
All Parking is Free
Marsland Centre is free after 6 pm
Dupont Lot D is free after 5:30 pm
As a courtesy to library users, please do not use the lot located underneath the library building.

CYCLING:
Bicycles are welcome. The church recommends bringing your bicycle inside for safe keeping.
We look forward to seeing you - either in person or online