Bat Survey Pwllheli: Protected Species

When embarking on a new development project, a bat survey or assessment may be required to uphold necessary commitments and support the preservation of bat habitats. These surveys can be used to mitigate risk factors to bats and their roosts.

Supported by crucial legislation, such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, local authorities can take action by delaying or even preventing a project from receiving planning permission if they believe ecological compliance has been neglected.

It is a project developer’s duty of care to see to it that proposed works do not damage or destroy bat roosts and allow bats to live harmoniously alongside new developments. Conducting bat surveys and assessments can ensure that a project development remains committed to supporting the ongoing preservation of habitats and receives planning permission.

It is recommended that assessments are undertaken between May and September, as this season witnesses an increase in activity for many species of bats. Should evidence of bats be recorded during the summer months, wintertime bat risk assessments are sometimes required to assess the possibility of bats using the site to hibernate.

The main types of bat survey includes:

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): The first type of survey is the Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA). This involves a desk study, reviewing local bat records and databases, combined with a site visit to inspect buildings, trees, or other structures for signs of bats. Evidence may include bat droppings, feeding remains, and potential access points. The purpose of this survey is to determine whether further, more detailed assessments are necessary.

Bat Emergence and Dawn Re-entry surveys:  If evidence suggests that bats may be present, a bat emergence survey and a Re-entry Survey is carried out. These assessments are conducted at dusk and dawn, using static bat detectors to record echolocation calls. They confirm the presence of bats, identify species, and locate roosting sites.

Nocturnal bat surveys: A nocturnal bat survey is conducted at night to observe and record the behaviour patterns of bat species. As bat activity increases during this time, nighttime surveys efficiently monitor local bat populations and assess their habitats. 

For Good Practice Guidance for Bats, visit the Chartered Institute of Ecology website.

Collington Winter Environmental is an ecological consultancy offering protected species assessment services to all kinds of project developments. We have extensive experience in providing bat ecologist services, including preliminary root assessments, emergence and re-entry surveys and nocturnal bat surveys.

Our consultants hold Natural England and European Protected Species licences and work closely with the Bat Conservation Trust to perform informative and reliable project assessments.

Get in touch with our Managing Director, Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk), for more information on other ecological surveys we offer, such as Great Crested Newts and Badgers. We also provide Preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) services and landscape architecture services to support your project. Alternatively, contact one of the team on 01204 939608.