Barn Bats Live: Streaming the Secret World of Big Brown BatsWe’re excited to introduce a brand-new window into the nighttime world of one of Pennsylvania’s most important native mammals—the big brown bat! Thanks to a partnership between PixCams and the Westmoreland Land Trust (WLT), we’ve installed live streaming cameras inside a barn at the Westmoreland Land Trust Schwarz Property to monitor a thriving colony of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in a barn. These remarkable bats play a crucial role in controlling insect populations and maintaining ecosystem health. Now, for the first time, you can watch their fascinating behavior—roosting, grooming, and flying in and out at dusk—live and in real time. Whether you’re a bat enthusiast, educator, or just curious about the animals that emerge after dark, this bat cam offers an extraordinary opportunity to connect with nature like never before. Meet the Big Brown BatThe big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is one of the most common and widespread bat species in Pennsylvania. True to its name, it’s larger than most of the state’s other bat species, with a wingspan of up to 13 inches and a body length of about 4 to 5 inches. These bats are hardy and highly adaptable, often found roosting in attics, barns, and other human-made structures, as well as in tree cavities and rocky crevices. Their tolerance for a wide range of environments makes them one of the most frequently encountered bats across the state. Nighttime Insect HuntersBig brown bats are insectivores and play a vital role in natural pest control. Each night, they consume large quantities of beetles, moths, wasps, and other agricultural and forest pests. A single bat can eat hundreds of insects in just one hour! Their feeding activity helps protect crops and reduces the need for chemical pesticides, making them an important ally for farmers and gardeners alike. By watching the Schwartz barn bat cam, viewers can observe the nightly exodus of these bats as they head out to hunt under the cover of darkness. Winter Survivors and Summer Maternity ColoniesUnlike some bat species that migrate south for the winter, big brown bats often hibernate locally in caves, mines, and buildings that provide stable, cool conditions. In the spring and summer, females gather in maternity colonies—like the one at the Schwartz barn—to give birth and raise their young. Each female typically gives birth to one or two pups in late spring or early summer. These pups grow quickly and are able to fly within a month, gradually learning to hunt insects alongside the adults. Conservation and CoexistenceWhile the big brown bat is currently considered stable, many other bat species in Pennsylvania are in decline due to threats like habitat loss and white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease. Monitoring and understanding bat behavior is crucial for conservation efforts. By providing roosting habitats like the barn at the Schwarz Property and sharing their story through live streaming cameras, we can raise awareness and appreciation for these fascinating and beneficial creatures. |
White-Nose Syndrome and the Resilience of the Big Brown Bat in Pennsylvania
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is one of the most devastating wildlife diseases in modern history, and its impact on bat populations across North America has been nothing short of catastrophic. First documented in a New York cave in 2006, the disease is caused by a cold-loving fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) that thrives in the same chilly, humid environments where many bat species hibernate. The fungus grows on the exposed skin of bats—especially on their noses, wings, and ears—disrupting their hibernation cycles and causing them to burn through their fat reserves too quickly, often leading to starvation and death before spring.
Pennsylvania was one of the earliest and hardest-hit states. Once-abundant species like the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) suffered population losses of over 90% in many areas. Entire hibernacula were wiped out, and the eerie sight of dead bats scattered on cave floors became all too common. The ecological consequences were significant as well, as fewer bats meant reduced natural insect control, potentially impacting agriculture and forest health.
Amid this crisis, the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) emerged as a symbol of resilience. Though not completely immune to white-nose syndrome, big brown bats have fared much better than other species. Researchers believe this is partly due to their larger body size, which gives them greater fat reserves to survive the disruptive effects of the disease. Additionally, big brown bats often hibernate in smaller groups and in a wider variety of locations—including buildings and barns—where the conditions may be less favorable for the growth of the fungus.
Since the arrival of WNS, the big brown bat has become even more important to Pennsylvania’s ecosystems. As other bat populations declined, the big brown bat continued to thrive and fill the gap left behind. Their ability to reproduce successfully, tolerate the fungus, and adapt to human-altered landscapes has made them a conservation success story in an otherwise grim chapter for North America’s bats.
The colony now visible on the Schwarz Property Barn Bat Cam is a living example of this species’ resilience. As we continue to study and protect Pennsylvania’s remaining bat populations, the big brown bat offers hope—not just for the survival of a single species, but for the potential recovery of bats across the region. By observing and learning from these survivors, we can better understand how to mitigate the effects of WNS and safeguard bats for generations to come.
Dual Pan-Tilt-Zoom Live Streaming Cameras installed inside the Schwarz Barn
A Bat’s-Eye View: Exploring the Schwarz Barn Colony With 24/7 Live Streaming Camera
The bat colony inside the Westmoreland Land Trust’s Schwarz Property barn is now visible like never before, thanks to a one-of-a-kind camera system developed by PixCams. This innovative setup features two pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) live streaming cameras installed on opposite sides of the barn interior. These high-definition cameras can remotely pan, tilt, and zoom to track the movement of the bats as they roost, groom, socialize, and take flight. This setup allows us to follow the action in real time and bring viewers right into the heart of a working big brown bat maternity colony—something that’s never been done on a 24/7 public live stream before.
The ability to move the cameras freely across the space makes this project unlike any previous bat cam. Viewers aren’t limited to a single static angle—instead, they can witness the full range of behavior happening throughout the barn. From watching mothers care for their pups to seeing the nightly emergence of bats heading out to hunt, these cameras provide an unprecedented look into the hidden lives of bats. It’s a technological leap that turns a dark and often-misunderstood space into a dynamic, real-time wildlife experience.
This unique live stream is not just for bat enthusiasts—it’s a powerful educational tool for teachers, researchers, conservationists, and curious minds of all ages. Students can witness the life cycle of bats in real time, and scientists can study colony dynamics without disturbing the animals. Most importantly, the public can develop a greater appreciation for these misunderstood mammals by watching them up close and learning about their essential role in our ecosystems.
By combining cutting-edge camera technology with a mission for conservation and education, the Schwarz Barn Bat Cam is setting a new standard for wildlife observation. It’s more than just a live stream—it’s a window into a world that has long gone unseen.
Big Brown Bat Pup Nursing
Bat Pups on the Way: Witness the Big Brown Bat Maternity Season Live
One of the most exciting parts of the Schwarz Barn Bat Cam project is just beginning—the arrival of bat pups! Each summer, female big brown bats form maternity colonies like the one now visible in the barn to give birth and raise their young. Mating occurs in the fall, but females store sperm through the winter and delay fertilization until spring. By late May or early June, they give birth to one or two pups, and thanks to our 24/7 live streaming cameras, we now have the rare opportunity to witness a bat birth live—something that has almost never been seen outside of a research setting.
Inside the colony, it’s the females who take on all the responsibility of raising the pups. After birth, the tiny, hairless young cling to their mothers and the barn walls using strong feet and thumbs. They are completely dependent, nursing from their mothers multiple times per day. Through the cameras, viewers can watch as the pups grow rapidly, beginning to sprout fur and open their eyes within a few weeks. The mothers are incredibly attentive, grooming and nursing their young while also flying out each night to feed and keep themselves strong.
Throughout the summer, we’ll see the pups develop flight muscles and begin flapping their wings in preparation for their first flights. By mid to late July, many of the young bats will be flying alongside the adults and learning to hunt insects on their own. It’s an incredible transformation that happens right before our eyes—and for the first time, viewers anywhere in the world can watch it unfold live, day by day.
As the weather cools in early fall, activity in the barn will begin to slow. By late September or October, the colony will disperse from this summer roost as the bats prepare for hibernation. Big brown bats typically hibernate in caves, abandoned mines, and sometimes even buildings or deep crevices that provide cold, stable conditions. They’ll enter a state of torpor, lowering their body temperature and metabolism to conserve energy until spring returns.
Until then, the Schwarz barn is buzzing with life—and for the next few months, it’s one of the best places in the world to observe the incredible journey of Pennsylvania’s big brown bats. Don’t miss this unique chance to connect with nature and watch the next generation take flight.
A Live Look at Pennsylvania’s Big Brown Bat Maternity Colony
The Schwarz Barn Bat Cam is more than just a glimpse into the world of big brown bats—it’s a front-row seat to one of nature’s most fascinating and important stories. From birth to first flight, this live stream offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the life cycle of a species that plays a vital role in our ecosystem. Whether you’re an educator, student, researcher, or simply a curious observer, tuning in to the bat cam helps foster appreciation, understanding, and respect for these remarkable mammals. As the summer unfolds and the barn comes alive with activity, we invite you to join us in celebrating the resilience, beauty, and importance of Pennsylvania’s big brown bats.
Watch the Big Brown Bat Colony LIVE Here: