Millie Hill bat cave

Last updated
Millie Hill Bat Cave Viewing Area
Millie Hill bat cave
LocationMillie Hill Bat Cave Road
Nearest city Iron Mountain, Michigan
Coordinates 45°49′16.02″N88°3′22.12″W / 45.8211167°N 88.0561444°W / 45.8211167; -88.0561444

Millie Hill bat cave (also known as Millie Mine bat cave) is an abandoned iron mine in Iron Mountain, Michigan that is now one of the largest bat breeding colonies in North America. [1] [2] [3] The vertical mine shaft is blocked by a steel grate, which prevents entry by humans but allows bats to enter and exit freely. [4] The bat cave is designated as an official Michigan Wildlife Viewing Area. [4]

Contents

History

The Millie Hill mine was excavated in the 1860s. [5] It was abandoned around the turn of the 20th century. [5]

As a teenager, spelunker Steve Smith explored the abandoned Millie Mine in the 1970s and found thousands bats below the surface. [6] [2] [5] The city of Iron Mountain planned to fill the mine in the spring of 1993, but Smith contacted Bat Conservation International to save the bats and their home in the mine. [6] [7] [3] [8] The entrance was reinforced with concrete and covered with an 8 ft (2.4 m) tall steel cage with bars wide enough for bats to fly in and out. [5] [9] The cage was designed by U.P. Engineers and Architects Inc. [9] The sides are constructed in a way to prevent predators such as cats, weasels, and raccoons from sitting on the bars to snatch the bats as they exit. [9]

Conservation

An estimated 250,000 to one million bats winter in the Millie Mine cave. [3] At the time of its construction, the Millie Hill bat cave was the second largest hibernaculum in the United States. [10] Over 1,000 former mines in the United States have been converted to bat sanctuaries since 1994. [11] Mines must meet the right requirements to be a suitable habitat for hibernating bats, stable temperatures that are cool but above freezing (approximately 38–48 °F (3–9 °C)) with a high humidity. [5] [3] [12] Different species have different preferences; for example, the little brown bat prefers the warmer interior of the mine, while big brown bats can tolerate colder temperatures near the entrance. [13]

Bats in the Upper Peninsula region have also historically roosted in thick trunks of hollow trees such as the white pine, but this habitat has also been impacted by humans. [13]

Bats in the Millie Mine have been affected by white-nose syndrome, a fungus that grows on them while they hibernate during winter. [6] [14] [15] [16] From 2014 to 2020, 90% of bats in Michigan's Upper Peninsula have died, including species of little brown bats, northern long eared bats, big brown bats, tri-colored bats, and Indiana bats. [6] [11] In 1994, approximately 85% of the species at Millie Hill were little brown bats. [17]

Wildlife viewing

The cave was the site of the first Great Lakes Bat Festival on August 9-11, 2002 to demonstrate tagging and educate the public on bats. [18]

Bats are easiest to see in spring (April and May) and autumn (September to October) at dusk. [1] [4] [15] [16] Benches are available around the fence for viewers. [1] There are also hiking trails. [19] [20]

The site is listed as an official Michigan Wildlife Viewing Area. [4] The site is also listed on the Michigan DNR Townships with Bat HCP Habitats. [21] Sierra Club recommended it as a place to see bats in the Upper Peninsula. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray bat</span> Species of mammal

The gray bat is a species of microbat endemic to North America. It once flourished in caves all over the southeastern United States, but due to human disturbance, gray bat populations declined severely during the early and mid portion of the 20th century. 95% of gray bats now hibernate in only 15 caves. M. grisescens has been listed as federally endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1976, and is protected under the Endangered Species Act. Gray bat populations were estimated at approximately 2 million bats around the time they were placed on the Endangered Species list. By the early 1980s populations of gray bats dropped to 1.6 million. With conservation efforts in place, in 2004, gray bat populations were estimated to have reached 3.4 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big brown bat</span> Species of vesper bat

The big brown bat is a species of vesper bat distributed widely throughout North America, the Caribbean, and the northern portion of South America. It was first described as a species in 1796. Compared to other microbats, the big brown bat is relatively large, weighing 15–26 g (0.53–0.92 oz) and possessing a wingspan of 32.5–35 cm (12.8–13.8 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natterer's bat</span> Species of bat

Natterer's bat is a European vespertilionid bat with pale wings. It has brown fur tending to greyish-white on its underside. It is found across most of the continent of Europe, parts of the Near East and North Africa. It feeds on insects and other invertebrates which it catches on the wing or pursues on the ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater horseshoe bat</span> Species of bat

The greater horseshoe bat is an insectivorous bat of the genus Rhinolophus. Its distribution covers Europe, Northern Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Asia. It is the largest of the horseshoe bats in Europe and is thus easily distinguished from other species. The species is sedentary, typically travelling up to 30 kilometres (19 mi) between the winter and summer roosts, with the longest recorded movement being 180 km (110 mi). The frequencies used by this bat species for echolocation lie between 69–83 kHz, have most energy at 81 kHz and have an average duration of 37.4 ms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser horseshoe bat</span> Species of bat

The lesser horseshoe bat is a type of small European and North African insectivorous bat, related to its larger cousin, the greater horseshoe bat. As with all horseshoe bats, the species gets its name from its distinctive horseshoe-shaped noseleaf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana bat</span> Species of bat

The Indiana bat is a medium-sized mouse-eared bat native to North America. It lives primarily in Southern and Midwestern U.S. states and is listed as an endangered species. The Indiana bat is grey, black, or chestnut in color and is 1.2–2.0 in long and weighs 4.5–9.5 g (0.16–0.34 oz). It is similar in appearance to the more common little brown bat, but is distinguished by its feet size, toe hair length, pink lips, and a keel on the calcar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand long-tailed bat</span> Species of bat

The New Zealand long-tailed bat, also known as the long-tailed wattled bat is one of 15 species of bats in the genus Chalinolobus variously known as "pied bats", "wattled bats" or "long-tailed bats". It is one of the two surviving bat species endemic to New Zealand, but is closely related to five other wattled or lobe-lipped bats in Australia and elsewhere. It won the 2021 Bird of the Year competition in New Zealand, despite not being a bird.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chilmark Quarries</span> Stone quarry in Wiltshire, England

Chilmark Quarries is a 9.65 hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), in the ravine south of the village of Chilmark in Wiltshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common noctule</span> Species of bat

The common noctule is a species of insectivorous bat common throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern small-footed myotis</span> Species of bat

The eastern small-footed bat is a species of vesper bat. It can be found in southern Ontario and Quebec in Canada and in mountainous portions of the eastern United States from New England to northern Georgia, and westward to northern Arkansas. It is among the smallest bats in eastern North America and is known for its small feet and black face-mask. Until recently, all North American small-footed Myotis were considered to be "Myotis leibii". The western population is now considered to be a separate species, Myotis ciliolabrum. The Eastern small-footed bat is rare throughout its range, although the species may be locally abundant where suitable habitat exists. Studies suggest white-nose syndrome has caused declines in their populations. However, most occurrences of this species have only been counted within the past decade or two and are not revisited regularly, making their population status difficult to assess. Additionally, most bat populations in the Eastern U.S. have been monitored using surveys conducted in caves and mines in the winter, but Eastern small-footed bats hibernate in places that make them unlikely to be encountered during these surveys. Perhaps as a result, the numbers of Eastern small-footed bats counted in winter tend to be low and they are relatively variable compared to other species of bats. Many biologists believe the species is stable, having declined little in recent times, but that it is vulnerable due to its relatively restricted geographic range and habitat needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mediterranean horseshoe bat</span> Species of bat

The Mediterranean horseshoe bat is a species of insectivorous bat in the family Rhinolophidae. It is found in the Mediterranean region and Balkan peninsula, as well as parts of Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little brown bat</span> Species of mammal found in North America

The little brown bat or little brown myotis is an endangered species of mouse-eared microbat found in North America. It has a small body size and glossy brown fur. It is similar in appearance to several other mouse-eared bats, including the Indiana bat, northern long-eared bat, and Arizona myotis, to which it is closely related. Despite its name, the little brown bat is not closely related to the big brown bat, which belongs to a different genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia big-eared bat</span> Subspecies of bat

The Virginia big-eared bat is one of two endangered subspecies of the Townsend's big-eared bat. It is found in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. In 1979, the US Fish and Wildlife Service categorized this as an endangered species. There are about 20,000 left and most of them can be found in West Virginia. The Virginia big-eared bat is the state bat of Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organization for Bat Conservation</span>

Organization for Bat Conservation (OBC) was a national environmental education nonprofit based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, established to educate and inspire people to save bats. It was the largest grassroots bat conservation organization in the United States. In February 2018, it was announced that the organization was ceasing operations due to unexpected financial problems and personnel changes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blaisdon Hall</span>

Blaisdon Hall is a Grade II* listed building at Blaisdon. It includes a 0.07-hectare (0.17-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caerwood and Ashberry Goose House</span>

Caerwood And Ashberry Goose House is a 0.01-hectare (0.025-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England, notified in 1991. The site was previously notified as Caerwood, Tidenham and lies within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Bow and Old Ham Mines</span>

Old Bow And Old Ham Mines is a 40.3-hectare (100-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wigpool Ironstone Mine</span>

Wigpool Ironstone Mine is a 34.88-hectare (86.2-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1998.

There are eighteen indigenous species of bats in Canada, which are found in many parts of the country. They are insectivores, and are prey to falcons, hawks, owls, snakes, cats, and raccoons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bath and Bradford-on-Avon Bats SAC</span>

The Bath and Bradford-on-Avon Bats SAC is a Special Area of Conservation originally designated under the European Union's Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), also known as the Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Robinson, John (2020-03-06). "Michigan's "Bat Cave"". 99.1 WFMK. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  2. 1 2 Vories, Kimery C.; Throgmorton, Dianne, eds. (2000-11-14). "Proceedings of BAT CONSERVATION AND MINING: A TECHNICAL INTERACTIVE FORUM".
  3. 1 2 3 4 Flesher, John (1996-05-24). "Scientists race to save iron mines for hibernating bats". The Daily Herald. p. 45.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Millie Mine Bat Cave". Pure Michigan | Official Travel & Tourism Website for Michigan. 2022-01-10. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Sharp, Eric (1993-08-29). "Hibernation site in Michigan saved". Dayton Daily News. p. 42.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Hough, Cassidy (2020-07-31). "The deadly disease that wiped out 90% of the Upper Peninsula's bats, and a new hope for one species". Great Lakes Echo. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  7. ↑ ""Up in the Hills," Iron Mountain, MI - The Millie Hill "Bat Cave"" (PDF).
  8. ↑ Ducummon, Sheryl L. "ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF BATS" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  9. 1 2 3 Flesher, John (1993-08-19). "Huge bat colony in old iron mine saved from death". The South Bend Tribune. p. 9.
  10. ↑ "Hibernating bats find save haven in the UP". Detroit Free Press. 1993-08-20. p. 24.
  11. 1 2 Chadwick, Douglas H. (2004). "A Mine of Its Own". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  12. ↑ Vachon, Paul (2015). Moon Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Avalon Publishing.
  13. 1 2 Springer, Tom (1999-04-05). "U.P. mines ideal roosts for hibernating bats". The South Bend Tribune. p. 12.
  14. ↑ "Bat Habitat Conservation Plan". Michigan DNR. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  15. 1 2 Kiser, Mark (2021-09-20). "Here Are 10 of the Best Places Around the U.S. To See Bats". Scout Life magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  16. 1 2 Whaley, K. P. (2016-09-19). "Fall Nights Bring Out The Bats As They Migrate". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  17. ↑ Pepin, John (1994-11-29). "Bats: myths surround nature's most misunderstood mammals". Petoskey News-Review. p. 8.
  18. ↑ "Bats get a wingding". News-Press. 2002-04-04. p. 6.
  19. ↑ Katje, Jonathan (2020-11-29). "Millie Mine Bat Viewing and Millie Hill Lookout, Iron Mountain". Travel the Mitten. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  20. ↑ Nikki (2017-10-16). "Millie Mine Bat Viewing Site and Trail". Nikki Lynn Design. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  21. ↑ "ArcGIS Web Application". midnr.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  22. ↑ Price, Austin (2018-10-24). "6 U.S. Sites to See Bats in Action". Sierra Club. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
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