Bat Survey Aberdeen: Protected Species

Bat surveys are undertaken for development sites to inform a planning application and determine the presence of bats within buildings, trees, and structures. The local planning authorities will usually let you know if a bat survey is required during the planning process. Bat species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

A bat survey will detect the presence or likely absence of bats in a particular area so that plans can be made to proceed with a proposed development. If bats are present on a site, bat mitigation and compensation measures must be undertaken before any planning permission is granted and development work can go ahead.

Bat species which are likely to be found in Aberdeen include the common pipistrelle bat, the soprano pipistrelle bat, Daubentons’ bat, the Brown long-eared bat, Brandt’s’ bat and Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat.

Preliminary Roost Assessment:  A Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) is an initial survey or assessment conducted to determine whether bats are likely to be roosting in a specific building or structure.

This assessment is an important first step in the process of assessing the potential impact of development or renovation projects on bat populations and their bat roosts. Our consultants will conduct an internal and external inspection of the building, looking for evidence of bat roosts, including insect-feeding remains and bat droppings.

Bat emergence and re-entry surveys: Bat emergence and re-entry surveys are usually the next step following a bat scoping survey or a preliminary roost assessment when evidence of bat presence has been detected in an area. The ecologist will monitor any entry and exit points to gather information on the location, bat species and bat population.

These surveys will be conducted on numerous occasions over a period of time until a range of sufficient data has been collected. Our consultants use bat detectors to record and analyse calls without disturbing the bats. 

Nocturnal bat surveys: A nocturnal bat survey is a type of ecological survey conducted during the nighttime to observe and record bat species’ activity and behaviour. These surveys are essential for monitoring bat populations, identifying species, and assessing their habitats. Nocturnal bat surveys are often conducted as part of ecological assessments, conservation efforts, and impact assessments related to development projects.

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

Collington Winter Environmental are a team of expert ecologists with experience in environmental management and undertaking bat and hibernating bat surveys on all types of development projects, including wind farms. Our ecologists hold Natural England bat licences and European Protected Species licences. We work with protected species across the UK alongside bat conservation trusts and can meet any requirements developers may have with regard to bat surveys.

Please contact our Managing Director, Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for more information on our ecological services and protected habitats, including protected species work such as bat surveys and great crested newt surveys. We can also provide preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) and assessment services.