Bat Ecologist London – Protected Species Surveys

The location of where a bat lives whilst it is not flying is called a roost. In buildings, places such as cavity walls, loft spaces, boarding or hanging tiles can all provide features that are suitable for bats. Bats can also roost in trees, tunnels or natural crevices and caves.

Bats typically require various environmental conditions throughout their lifecycle and may move between different roosts numerous times a year. Bat roosts are complex, and even individual or small roosts can be of great importance for some species. If a vital roost is disturbed or destroyed, it can lead to significant damage to a bat population. It is illegal to destroy, disturb or obstruct access to bat roosts.

There are several types of bat surveys that may be conducted as part of the planning application process. The specific type of ecology survey required will depend on various factors. These may include the nature of the proposed development, the location, and the presence of suitable bat habitats. Here are some common types of bat surveys:

• Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): This initial survey involves a visual inspection of buildings, trees, and other structures within and around the surrounding land to identify potential bat roosting features and feeding remains. It helps determine if further surveys are necessary and provides a preliminary indication of the presence or likely absence of roosting bats.

• Bat Activity Surveys: These surveys involve the use of bat detectors, which record and analyse bat echolocation calls. They provide information on bat species present, their activity patterns, and foraging behaviour. Activity surveys can be conducted using static detectors placed at strategic locations or by employing transects to cover larger areas.

Bat surveys should be conducted by an experienced bat ecologist, London, or licensed bat surveyors who have the necessary knowledge and expertise to identify species of bats, assess roosting sites, and interpret bat activity data. These professionals possess a deep understanding of bat ecology, survey methodologies, and legal requirements related to European protected species.

In the UK, bat surveys should ideally be carried out by ecologists who hold a Natural England bat survey license and a European Protected Species licence. These licenses are issued to individuals who have demonstrated sufficient skills and knowledge in conducting bat surveys and handling bats appropriately.

Collington Winter Environmental are an ecology team with extensive experience in environmental management and undertaking bat and hibernating bat surveys on all types of development projects and can meet any bat survey requirements. Our Ecology Director, Olivia Collington, holds a Natural England Bat licence, and has worked with protected species across the UK alongside Greater London bat surveyors and bat conservation trusts.

Please contact us (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for more information on our mitigation plans and protected habitats and species survey work, including bat surveys and great crested newt surveys. We also provide ecological appraisal and assessment services.