Bat Survey Hastings, East Sussex: Protected Species Surveys

A bat survey, Hasting, East Sussex, can help to assess whether bats are present in buildings, structures, or trees on development sites. Integrating these surveys into project planning is crucial for addressing bat-related concerns during the planning application process.

Should a local planning authority find that bats are present near a proposed development site and mitigation has not been proposed, they have the legal authority to intervene with the project development to delay or even prevent the project from progressing. This authority is supported by legislation such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

As bats are now considered at risk of extinction, they have protection under UK and European legislation, and it is a project developer’s duty of care to ensure minimal harm is caused to bat roosts and the bats themselves. With the aim of mitigating further damage to the bat population, bat surveys and assessments alongside other protected species survey work are often crucial to determine the presence of roosting bats.

In Hastings, East Sussex, bat activity is highest during the summer months. Therefore, bat surveys are undertaken during this period. These assessments help identify roosting sites and estimate local bat populations. If bats are detected during a summer survey, a follow-up assessment in winter may be required to determine if the site serves as a hibernation habitat.

Hastings hosts various species of bats, including the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat, Daubenton’s bat, whiskered bat, and Brandt’s bat.

The main types of bat activity surveys in the UK 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, such as 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, suggest the number 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.

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

Collington Winter Environmental is an ecological consultancy offering protected species assessment services to all kinds of project developments. We have extensive experience in providing bat ecologist services, including preliminary root assessments, dusk emergence and dawn re-entry surveys and nocturnal bat surveys. Our consultants hold Natural England and European Protected Species licences and work alongside Sussex bat groups to perform informative and reliable project assessments each season.

Get in touch with our Managing Director, Olivia Collington (info@collingtonwinter.co.uk), for more information on other ecological services we offer, such as different species surveys for Great Crested Newts and Badgers. Alternatively, please contact one of the team today on 01204 939608.