Bat Survey Dumfries and Galloway: Protected Species

A bat survey, Dumfries and Galloway, is often required when embarking on a new project development to minimise risk factors to residing bats. Bat populations face threats from construction, so strategic measures must be put in place to benefit bats. In an effort to uphold this responsibility, Collington Winter Environmental provide a nationwide ecology service and is readily able to undertake a bat survey, Dumfries and Galloway.

Scottish planning policy requires that the potential impact on protected species is considered before planning applications are submitted. Local authorities have the legal ability to delay a project from receiving planning permission if they believe bat roosts have been disturbed or damaged, and bats have suffered as a result.

The main types of bat surveys include:

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): The initial survey used is the Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA), also known as a bat scoping survey. 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 and feeding remains.

Bat Emergence Survey and Dawn Re-entry Surveys:  If evidence suggests that bats may be present on a proposed development site, Emergence and Re-entry Survey work is carried out. When conducting these surveys, bat workers use bat-friendly technology to record echolocation calls. This can confirm the presence of bats, identify species, and locate roosting sites.

Nocturnal bat surveys: A Nocturnal Bat Survey is a type of ecological survey conducted during the 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, identify species, and assess their habitats. A nocturnal bat survey is highly beneficial to the conservation of habitats and ecological assessments.

Hibernation surveys: Between November and March, hibernation surveys are conducted to locate bats hibernating in spots such as caves, mines, tunnels, and tree cavities.

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

Collington Winter is an environmental consultancy that offers protected species assessment services to both small and large-scale project developments across the country. Working alongside bat groups and local bat conservation trusts, we have extensive experience in providing bat ecologist services. Our ecological works are supported by our European Protected Species licences and Natural England Mitigation Licences.

Get in touch with one of our experienced ecologists at (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for more information on a bat survey, Dumfries and Galloway, and other ecological services we offer, such as different species surveys for 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.