Bat Survey Norwich: Protected Species Surveys

A bat survey in Norwich can determine the presence of bats in structures, buildings, or trees on development sites. Including these ecological surveys in project planning is essential for addressing bat-related considerations during the planning application process.

If a local planning authority determines that bats are present near a proposed development site and no mitigation measures have been implemented, they have the legal power to intervene – potentially delaying or even preventing the project. This authority is supported by legislation such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

Project developers have a responsibility to ensure that proposed works do not harm, destroy, or block access to bat roosts. As bats are now classified as a species at risk, they are legally protected under both UK and European legislation. These surveys help evaluate the necessary mitigation measures to secure planning permission and ensure proper habitat management, aiming to prevent further harm to the bat population.

In Norwich, bat survey season is at its highest during the summer months, making this the ideal time for conducting bat activity surveys. These surveys help locate roosting sites and provide estimates of local bat populations. If bats are identified during a summer survey, a follow up assessment in winter may be needed to determine whether the site also serves as hibernation spot.

Norwich supports a variety of bat species, including the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat, Daubenton’s bat, whiskered bat, and Brandt’s bat.

Conducting a bat survey in Norwich typically follows a structured process, which is essential for creating an effective bat mitigation strategy:

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): The initial survey carried out is known as a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA), or a bat scoping survey. It involves a desk-based review of existing bat records and local databases, alongside a physical inspection of the site.

During the visit, trees, buildings, and other structures are examined for signs of bat activity. Evidence may include droppings, feeding remains, or possible entry points. The aim of this assessment is to identify whether there is any evidence of bat presence and to determine if more in-depth surveys are required.

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

Nocturnal bat surveys: A nocturnal bat survey is an ecological assessment carried out after dark to monitor and record the behaviour of bat species. Since bats are most active at night, these surveys are an effective way to study local populations, identify different species, and evaluate their use of the surrounding habitat.

Hibernation surveys: During the winter months, hibernation surveys are conducted to locate bats in hibernation sites such as caves, tunnels, mines, and tree cavities. Surveyors inspect these locations during the winter months, taking extra precautions not to affect bats in hibernation.

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

Collington Winter Environmental is a specialist ecological consultancy offering protected species assessments for a wide variety of development projects. Our licensed bat ecologists hold both natural England and European Protected Species licenses, ensuring thorough and reliable assessments. We adopt a strategic and efficient approach to ecological survey, minimising delays while supporting the protection of local wildlife.

Please get in touch with our Managing Director Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for more information on a bat survey, Norwich. Additionally, we take on other types of protected species survey work, such as badger and great crested newt surveys. We also provide ecological impact assessment services alongside preliminary ecological appraisals (PEAs).