Bat Survey Gwynedd: Protected Species Surveys

A bat survey, Gwynedd, can help determine whether bats are present in buildings, trees, and other structures on or development sites. These surveys should be integrated into project development plans to ensure ecological considerations related to bats are addressed during the planning application process.

Local planning authorities will typically notify you if a bat survey is required and provide guidelines for conducting ecological assessment. The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 were introduced to protect wildlife across the UK, particularly species vulnerable to development impacts.

All bat species, along with their breeding and roosting sites, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. If bats are found on a site, it is illegal to harm, injure, or obstruct their access to roosts by damaging their habitat. Therefore, implementing bat mitigation and compensation measures is essential for projects aiming to achieve an environmentally responsible outcome.

Preliminary Roost Assessment:  A Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) should be conducted initially 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 project development on bat species on the site and in the area.

Bat emergence and re-entry surveys: If necessary, following a preliminary roost survey, a bat emergence survey or a re-entry survey will typically be performed to monitor further bat activity. This includes monitoring entry and exit points to provide information on the location, species, and population of the bats.

These surveys are carried out on multiple occasions over a period of time to collect a substantial range of data and encourage accurate results. Our bat consultants use bat detectors to monitor bat activity without causing unnecessary disturbance to the bats.

Nocturnal bat surveys: A nocturnal bat survey is an ecological survey conducted at night 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 carried out as part of ecological impact assessments and conservation efforts related to development projects.

At Collington Winter, our ecological consultants are licensed by Natural England and hold European Protected Species licenses. We collaborate with bat conservation trusts to safeguard endangered bat species across the UK that may be affected by new development projects.

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