Big Brown Bat Colony Roost

A Barn Built for Roosting

High in the timber framing of a century-old barn, two cameras are trained on the roof crest where the colony gathers. The barn's open beams and warm, sheltered peak create an ideal roosting structure, mimicking the hollow trees and rock crevices bats naturally seek out.

Big Brown Bats of Pennsylvania

Eptesicus fuscus is among the most widespread bat species in the state, and an essential part of the local ecosystem. A single colony can consume thousands of insects — including agricultural pests and mosquitoes — providing natural pest control across the surrounding farmland and forest.

Westmoreland Land Trust's Conservation Mission

The barn sits on the trust's Schwarz property, part of the wider Meadowlark Nature and Art Park. The organization uses this live feed to advance public understanding of bat behavior and roosting habits, supporting broader efforts to protect North American bat populations from habitat loss and disease.

Watching the Colony

Two dedicated cameras keep a continuous, unobtrusive watch over the roost, letting viewers observe social interactions, grooming, and — in the warmer months — new pups born into the colony, all without disturbing these sensitive animals.