List of Recommended Bat Hibernacula Closures in Virginia

Winter, 2010-11

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
&
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's  Natural Heritage Program

(as of January 12, 2011)

Please note: The caves listed below are voluntary closures being requested by state wildlife and Natural Heritage programs, and are in addition to any other restriction placed on these caves by their owners.

Due to their significant use by bats as hibernacula, cavers are requested not to visit the following Virginia caves or the indicated sections thereof from October 15 through April 15:

CaveCountyComments
Banes SpringBland 
BlowingBath 
BreathingBathWNS + in 2009
Buchanan SaltpetreSmyth 
Buddy PenleyBlandWNS +
Bundy’s #2Russell 
Clark’sBathWNS + in 2010
CoonBlandWNS + 2010
Gap (Cudjo’s, Big Salt)LeeManaged by Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
Glenwood ChurchTazewell 
Grassy SpringsLeeManaged by Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
HamiltonBland 
Higgenbotham #1 and #2TazewellWNS + in 2010; Owned by VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; closed due to year-round bat use
Hupman’s SaltpetreHighlandWNS + 2010
KellyWiseClosed until further notice by US Forest Service as part of blanket regional closure
LowmoorAllegheny 
Millers CoveRoanokeClosed until further notice by US Forest Service as part of blanket regional closure
New RiverGiles 
Newberry-BaneBlandWNS + in 2010
Paul PenleyBland 
ParsonageHighland 
Peery’s SaltpetreBotetourt 
Rocky HollowWiseClosed until further notice by US Forest Service as part of blanket regional closure
Rufe CaldwellCraig 
Mountain Grove SaltpetreBathClosed until further notice by US Forest Service as part of blanket regional closure
Repass Saltpetre CaveBlandWNS + in 2010
Shires SaltpetreCraigWNS + in 2010; Closed until further notice by US Forest Service as part of blanket regional closure
Spring Hollow Bland 
Starr ChapelBathWNS + in 2010; Closed until further notice by US Forest Service as part of blanket regional closure
Stonley’sTazewellWNS + 2010
Tawney’sGilesWNS + in 2010; closed from signature wall to sinkhole entrance, including Saltpetre Room
Tilsons SaltpetreSmyth 
WaresAllegheny 
Ward CoveTazewell 
WitherosBath 
WittigsRockingham 
Woods TerryHighland 


List of WNS Positive Virginia Caves (as of January 12, 2011)

CaveCountyYear Documented
Breathing Cave*Bath2009
Clover Hollow CaveGiles2009
Endless CavernsRockingham2009
Hancock CaveSmyth2009
Newberry-Bane Cave*Bland2009
Beer Can ChasmGiles2010
Buddy Penley Cave*Bland2010(?)
Catawba MurderholeBotetourt2010
Clark’s Cave*Bath2010
Coon Cave*Bland2010(?)
Higgenbotham #1*Tazewell2010
Hupmans Saltpetre*Highland2010
LinksGiles2010
Newcastle MurderholeCraig2010
PigholeGiles2010
Repass Saltpetre Cave*Bland2010
Shire’s Saltpetre*Craig2010
StarnesGiles2010
Starr Chapel Saltpetre*Bath2010
Stonley Cave*Tazewell2010
Tawney’s Cave*Giles2010

* Recommended seasonal closure due to use as a bat hibernacula.

(This material supplied by Wil Orndorff on January 12, 2011)