Bat Survey in Edinburgh: Protected Species Surveys

A bat survey in Edinburgh may be required as part of the ecological assessment process when seeking planning permission for a new development or changes to an existing property. Bats are protected by law, and development proposals have the potential to affect bats, their habitats and their bat roosts.

Carrying out appropriate protected species surveys at an early stage can help identify whether bats are using a development site and determine whether further ecological surveys, mitigation plans or other mitigation measures are required. This can help developers avoid the risk of disturbing or harming bats while ensuring that ecological considerations are incorporated into the planning process.

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 provide important legal protection for bats and other European protected species. It can be a criminal offence to deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat, while development works must also avoid actions that could damage or destroy a bat roost or deliberately disturb bats.

For this reason, understanding the potential presence of bats before work begins is essential. A suitably qualified ecologist can record bat activity, assess potential roosting features and advise on appropriate mitigation measures to reduce the impact of development.

A range of bat species can be found across Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. Depending on the location and characteristics of a site, surveys may encounter species including:

• Common pipistrelle
• Soprano pipistrelle
• Nathusius’ pipistrelle
• Brown long-eared bat
• Noctule bat
• Whiskered bat
• Brandt’s bat
• Leisler’s bat

The timing and type of survey required will depend on the site, proposed works and findings from any initial assessment. Activity surveys are generally undertaken during the bat activity season, when bats are more likely to be present and actively using the site.

The appropriate survey type will depend on the nature of the site and the potential for bats to be present. Common surveys include:

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): A Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA), sometimes referred to as a bat scoping survey, is often the first stage of a bat assessment. It typically combines a review of available ecological information with a site inspection.

An ecologist will examine buildings, trees and other structures for features that could provide suitable roosting opportunities. Evidence such as droppings, feeding remains, staining, bat sightings and potential access points may also be recorded. The findings help establish whether a bat roost is likely to be present and whether additional surveys are required.

Bat Emergence and Dawn Re-entry surveys:  Where a building or structure has suitable features for bats, a bat emergence and re entry survey (BERS) may be required. These surveys are undertaken around dusk and, where appropriate, dawn to establish whether bats are emerging from or returning to potential roosting locations.

Specialist detectors can record bat echolocation calls, helping ecologists identify species and understand patterns of bat activity. The results can then inform suitable mitigation plans

Nocturnal bat surveys: Nocturnal bat surveys are undertaken after dark to assess bat activity across a site. These surveys can help identify which bat species are using an area, where bats are feeding or commuting, and how proposed development could affect bats and their habitats.

Hibernation surveys: Some developments may require surveys to assess whether bats use buildings, structures, tunnels or tree cavities during winter. These surveys are undertaken carefully to minimise the risk of disturbing hibernating bats.

Collington Winter Environmental provides bat ecologist services and ecological assessment services for a wide range of development projects. If you are planning a development and need advice on whether a bat survey or other ecological survey may be required, contact Collington Winter Environmental at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk for a free quote.