Bat Survey in Christchurch: Protected Species Surveys

A bat survey in Christchurch may be required to uphold necessary ecological commitments that apply to new project developments in and around the area. Supporting the preservation of bat habitats and roost sites is crucial for local councils with the aim of mitigating risk factors for bats alongside other endangered species. Collington Winter Environmental has a team of experienced ecologists who are willing to provide assistance when undertaking any protected species surveys for development proposals in Christchurch.

Local planning authorities typically review planning applications and perform inspections before and during construction work takes place. This way, the council can ensure ecological requirements are attended to. Supported by important legislation, such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, Christchurch Council have the authority to intervene with a project if bats are detected and mitigation measures are not undertaken.

If a survey has recorded bat presence, a duty of care is bestowed upon project developers to prevent the bats from experiencing any harm or disruption. Strategic measures must be put in place to prevent further decline of bat species across the UK, including in Christchurch.

A bat survey process will typically follow a structure similar to the one below and will inform a bat mitigation strategy:

• Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): This initial survey determines whether bats are likely to be roosting in a building or structure. It is an important first step in evaluating the potential impact of the proposed development on local bat species. Consultants will perform both an internal and external inspection of a site for any evidence of bat roosts, such as bat droppings.
• Bat Emergence and Re-entry Surveys: If bat activity is detected after the preliminary survey, an emergence or re-entry survey may be necessary. These surveys track bat movements, including entry and exit points to buildings, providing valuable insights into bat behaviour, roosting locations, and feeding habits. They are typically conducted multiple times, both day and night, using equipment like thermal imaging cameras and automated bat detectors to minimise any disturbance to the bats.
• Nocturnal Bat Surveys: Since all UK bat species are nocturnal and use echolocation, nocturnal surveys are an effective way to monitor their activity and behaviour. These surveys are typically performed at night to gather detailed data on bat behaviour and activity levels.

For any surveys conducted, a list of recommendations will be presented to a project manager on how best to support any present bat species and habitats. This can include physical provisions to protect or replicate bat roosting spots and inform a works schedule to prevent unnecessary disturbance of the bats.

Collington Winter Environmental are an ecological consultancy boasting extensive experience in environmental impact assessments and surveys nationwide. Our team hold Natural England Class Licences and works with protected species across the UK. We believe a tactical and concise approach to ecological survey work is best to avoid delays and benefit surrounding wildlife.

Please get in touch with our Managing Director Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for more information on our wide range of ecological services and protected species survey work, including bat activity surveys and great crested newt surveys. We also provide preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) services alongside landscape architectural services.