Bat Survey

Bat Surveys and Mitigation

Our bat ecologists hold the relevant licence required to survey all species of British bats and are established experts in bat mitigation work.

Our professional approach to each of our client’s project allows us to recognise the need for development while adhering to current bat legislation.

The information below is for guidance only and may not include all aspects of the species or its mitigation. Full details are available from our qualified ecologists.

Did you know? BAT FACTS

• Bats roost individually or in colonies
• Bats feed at night and roost during the day
• There are 16 species of bat in the British Isles
• Roosts include: buildings, bridges, quarries, trees, cliffs and caves
• Habitats include: woodland, scrubland, parks, farms, wetlands, hedgerows, waterways as well as suburban gardens and well-lit urban open spaces - they're pretty much everywhere. 
• Bat benefits: They eat midges - good for your summer barbecue!
• It is illegal to disturb a bat or its roost in any way, shape or form
  

Bat Legislation

• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, The Wildlife Order (NI) 1985 and The Habitats Regulations 1994 (NI 1995) state that it is illegal to:
• Kill, injure or capture bats.
• Recklessly disturb bats or their roosts.
• Damage, destroy or obstruct any place used for bat shelter or protection, even if not currently occupied.
• Possess, sell or transport a bat or anything derived from one. 
• Only licensed professionals can approach bats or their roosts.

WHAT WE DO

Initial Assessment for Bats

Before any development works commence we make an initial assessment of the area, such as a building, structure or tree, to identify any actual or potential sites for bat roosts. A report, suitable for submission with your planning application, is supplied highlighting any potential impacts on protected bat species. If there is a bat presence we would suggest practical mitigation solutions. If any evidence of bats is found at this initial stage further surveys will be required.

Additional Bat Surveying

When existing or potential bat roosts have been identified a detailed assessment of the site is required by law if you wish to pursue a planning application. Our licensed bat ecologists would complete various nocturnal bat surveys to establish the exact locations of bat roosts, the species of bats using the roosts and the number present at each roost.

When evidence is found of a site being an actual bat roost a licence application will need to be submitted to Natural England, which we can assist you with.

Bat Survey Methods

Our suitably qualified ecologists have a choice of methods and technical tools available to undertake the ecological bat surveys.

• Walk Through – Building Survey

All areas of the building are examined for physical evidence of bats such as droppings and food remains. They also look for potential bat roost entrance holes.

• Walk Through – Woodlands and Trees

This involves an experienced bat ecologist searching the tree or woodland area for potential or used bat roost sites. This may be mature trees, peeling bark, tree splits or dead trees.

• Bat Detectors

These machines allow the ecologist to hear different echo location calls at a frequency audible to the human ear. Each bat species has a distinctive call and can be identified easily using this method.

• Emergence Surveys

These surveys occur at dusk with a number of trained observers located in specific positions around the survey site to record bat activity.

• Transect Surveys

These are used on open areas of ground without building structures.

Bat Licence Application

Upon approval of planning permission if a licence has not been previously applied for the application will need to be submitted to Natural England before any development works commence. This requires a mitigation statement explaining what actions will be taken to preserve the bats and their roosts on the site during and after development. This application can take approximately four weeks to receive a response from Natural England so it is recommended that you plan ahead.

Bat Mitigation

Our Creative Ecological Solutions maximise the choices available to you the developer. While preservation of bats is extremely important to us we understand and appreciate the need to develop in the modern world.

Our suggestions may include some of the following:

• Avoid works during sensitive times of the year, such as breeding season 
• Supervised demolition by licensed ecologists
• Installation of specially developed roof tiles which provide bat roof access points
• Design and construction of replacement roosts
• Installation of bat boxes or other artificial roosts
• Construction of access routes such as a bridge or underpass
• Recommended planting to create feeding habitat or flight corridors
• Specialist lighting design
• Post-development monitoring

Bat Survey Times

Initial Surveys and desk research:   Year-round

Detailed Field Surveys:  from April - October, depending on the methods used, then hibernation surveys from November to March.

Booking a Bat Survey

As soon as you know you need a bat survey we recommend you book a date for our initial assessment.  Please either call us on 01676 525880 to speak to our specialist Bat Survey department.

Alternatively please email your details to species@middlemarch-environmental.com and we will call you.

	BREEAM Assessments
	Phase 1 & Arboricultural Surveys
	Protected Species
	Mitigation Plans & Habitat Creation
	EIA & Masterplanning
	Business & Biodiversity

Site last updated 08 September 2010