Pre-construction bat surveys were conducted as part of a Federal EA for a proposed wind power project on Georgina Island First Nations lands to assess the risk of potential impacts and fatalities on bat habitat and migrating bat species resulting from collision with wind turbines.

The study included a pre-screening assessment to identify the sensitivity of the site based on the MNR's Bat Impact Assessment Guidelines. This included a preliminary site investigation to identify potential significant bat habitat (i.e. hibernacula, roost sites, migration corridors, etc.) in the study area. The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation was consulted to obtain traditional environmental knowledge (TEK) of any known bat and bat habitat occurrences on the island.

Remotely operated acoustic monitoring equipment was set up at monitoring stations to detect bat activity and to record bat echolocation calls for species identification using spectral analysis software. The results of the pre-construction surveys and possible recommendations to mitigate potential impacts were detailed in a technical report. Post-construction bat mortality surveys are planned upon project completion to determine if actual bat fatalities occur and, if necessary, statistically estimate bat fatalities during operation of the wind power facility and investigate possible remedial measures.