Bat Survey Exeter: Protected Species Surveys

A Bat Survey, Exeter, is one of the many ecology surveys which may be required when submitting an application for a new project development. As bats are a protected species, survey work to identify the presence of bats can inform a mitigation plan when undergoing development works to avoid the risk of unnecessary disturbance or harm.

It is important to note that many local planning authorities may be legally obliged to delay or prevent a planning application if they believe the correct bat protection measures have not taken place. Bats are protected under legislation, such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

It is a project developer’s duty of care to see to it that proposed works do not damage and destroy bat roosts and allow bats to live harmoniously alongside new developments. With the aim of preventing further damage to bat populations in England, carrying out bat surveys and assessments can ensure that a project development supports a favourable conservation status for bat species whilst landing successfully.

When undertaking a bat survey, Exeter, our consultants could come across any of the species of bats currently active in the UK. There are many common bats that reside in Exeter, including:

• Common Pipistrelle
• Soprano Pipistrelle
• Nathusius’ Pipistrelle
• Brown long-eared bat
• Noctule bat
• Serotine bat
• whiskered bat
• Greater Horseshoe bat

It is recommended that a bat survey take place during May and September, as this season witnesses a peak in bat activity. Should evidence of bats be recorded during the summer months, wintertime surveys are sometimes required to assess the possibility of bats using the site to hibernate.

The main types of bat activity surveys in Exeter include:

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): The first type of survey 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. The purpose of this survey is to determine whether further, more detailed assessments are necessary.

Bat Emergence and Dawn Re-entry surveys:  If evidence suggests that bats may be present, an Emergence and Re-entry Survey is carried out. These surveys are conducted at dusk and dawn, using static bat detectors to record echolocation calls. They 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 at 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. 

Hibernation surveys: During the winter months, hibernation surveys are conducted to locate bats in hibernation sites, such as caves, mines, tunnels, and tree cavities. Surveyors inspect these locations during the winter months, taking extra precautions not to disturb bat hibernation.

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

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

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