Bat Survey East Lothian: Protected Species

A bat survey, East Lothian, is often required when embarking on a new project development to determine any bat presence in the area. Bats residing in the UK find themselves at constant risk of developmental practices, and so strategic measures must be put in place to encourage conservation of bats and other protected species or habitats.

Scottish planning authorities require the potential impact on protected species to be considered before planning applications are submitted.  Therefore, local authorities have the legal ability to delay a project from receiving planning permission if they believe bat roosts have been neglected.

In a bid to support project developers and respective bat species during the development process, Collington Winter Environmental can provide a professional Bat Survey, East Lothian service to mitigate any factors which may affect bat species.

The main types of bat surveys performed to identify potential bats and roosting sites 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 droppings, feeding remains, and potential access points.

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, bat activity 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 Environmental is an environmental consultancy offering bat surveys and other protected species assessments to suit the needs of any project development. We work alongside bat conservation trusts to ensure bats can reside happily amongst a successful project.

Our consultants, supported by Natural England and European Protected Species licences, boast extensive experience in providing a wide range of ecologist services including great crested newt surveys, Preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) services and tree survey services. Get in touch with a member of our ecologist team at (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for more information on a bat survey or other protected species surveys. Alternatively, contact one of the team on 01204 939608.