SWCA to Present at Hawaii Conservation Conference

PHOENIX—SWCA Environmental Consultants is participating in the Hawaii Conservation Conference 2012 July 31-Aug. 2 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu.

SWCA fish and wildlife scientist Dr. Ling Ong will present a 10-minute talk titled "Detecting the Elusive: Documenting Hawaiian Hoary Bat Activity on Oahu" at noon Thursday, Aug. 2. She will discuss Hawaiian hoary bat activity documented in multi-year studies of two lowland sites on the north shore of Oahu. Hawaiian hoary bats showed seasonal presence at both sites, with increased activity in the spring and summer months, similar to activity patterns documented on the islands of Hawaii and Kauai. Activity rates over ponds appear to be higher than in forested areas, suggesting that water features may be attractive foraging habitat for the species. Multiple foraging bouts occurred over the ponds, with highest activity during the early night and shortly after midnight. The talk will also present a map of bat detections (both visual and acoustic) that shows known locations of sightings on Oahu documented in recent years.

Dr. Ong specializes in designing and conducting long-term bird and bat population studies to help clients comply with the Endangered Species Act. She has authored three multi-species Habitat Conservation Plans that include development of mitigation options with multi-agency cooperation to ensure a net conservation benefit to the affected endangered species. Her broader experience in terrestrial and marine ecological studies in the tropics has included point counts, mist-netting, blood work, and behavioral ecology of forest birds, as well as doctoral research at the University of Hawaii on parrotfish ecology.