Data & Discovery

Every bat call we record is a point of data. But how do we turn thousands of recordings into meaningful discoveries? This section takes you behind the scenes of our research. Explore our latest findings through interactive maps and project updates, and dive into the science behind it all by learning how we analyze recordings and apply our methods. 

From Bat Call to Big Data: The Journey of a Recording

Ever wonder what happens to a sound after it's captured by a recorder? Every bat call you collect goes on a fascinating journey from a simple audio file to a valuable scientific data point. First, our "Bat No Bat" software performs a quick scan on a local computer to find likely bat calls. This is a crucial first filter. Only these promising files are uploaded to our central servers at Concordia College. From there, we automatically generate spectrograms (visual fingerprints of the calls) for the public to see. Finally, our research team analyzes the verified data to map hotspots and track activity, and the anonymous data are archived for scientists around the world to use in future conservation efforts.

The Data Deluge: Why Every Megabyte Matters

It's a good problem to have: our 100 recorders are incredibly effective at capturing sound, but this creates a monumental data challenge. A single recorder can generate up to 70 files in one night. On a rainy evening, when the sound of rain triggers non-stop recording, that number can skyrocket to over 30 gigabytes of data. For our entire grid, that would be over 3 terabytes in a single night—more than our network could handle! This is why the local triage step is the secret to our project's success. By using the "Bat No Bat" software before uploading, you act as a smart filter, helping us separate the few valuable seconds of a bat call from hours of rain. This crucial step makes a project of this scale possible.