Bat Survey Mansfield: Protected Species Surveys

A bat survey, Mansfield, can be a crucial step in determining whether bats are present in buildings, structures, or trees on development sites. These surveys are often used in project planning to address bat-related concerns during the planning permission application process.

Alongside wild birds such as barn owls and ducks, important legislation such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all species of bat, including their breeding and roosting sites in the midlands.

If bats are present on a site, it is illegal to cause deliberate harm, injure, or obstruct access to their roosts or habitats. Therefore, mitigation strategies are essential for ensuring an environmentally responsible development process which supports the bats it may host.

Preliminary Roost Assessment: A Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) should be conducted at first to determine whether bats are likely to be present in a specific area. This assessment is an important first step in the process of understanding the scale of impact a project development may have on the bat species residing on-site and in the area.

Bat emergence and re-entry surveys: If a PRA determines that bats could be present, a bat emergence survey or a re-entry survey will typically be performed to monitor further bat activity in and around the bat roosts. An emergence and re-entry bat survey includes monitoring entry and exit points to provide information on the location, species, and population of the bats.

These surveys are conducted over multiple visits across a set period to gather a comprehensive range of data and ensure accurate results. Our experienced bat ecology consultants use specialist bat detectors to monitor bat activity in a non-intrusive manner, minimising any disturbance to the bats.

Nocturnal bat surveys: This type of survey observes and records bat species’ activity and behaviour during the night, as bat activity is predominantly nocturnal. These surveys are essential for monitoring bat populations, identifying species, and assessing their habitats. Nocturnal bat surveys are often carried out as part of conservation efforts related to development projects.

At Collington Winter Environmental, we provide expert seervices to suit the ecological needs of our clients. Our ecological consultants are licensed by Natural England and hold European Protected Species licenses. We collaborate with developers to safeguard endangered bat species across the UK while supporting the planning application process.

Our Managing Director, Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk), is happy to provide more information on our wide range of protected species survey work, including bat surveys, water vole surveys and great crested newt surveys. We also provide preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) and assessment services.