Bat Survey St Albans: Protected Species Surveys

If you’re developing land property in or around St Albans, a bat survey may be required to satisfy local planning and environmental regulations. As part of the planning process, many projects must assess whether protected species, like bats, are present on site before any work can proceed. These surveys play an essential role in safeguarding biodiversity in the historic and environmentally sensitive areas surrounding St Albans.

Protecting local wildlife, especially legally protected species such as bats, is a priority for planning authorities, including St Albans City and District Council. At Collington Winter Environmental, our team of qualified ecologists is ready to provide fast, reliable support for your development while helping you remain compliant with all ecological obligations.

Surveys are conducted in line with legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, which ensure that bat roosts and their surrounding habitats are not harmed during development.

Bats are typically active between May and September, which is the recommended window for conducting bat activity surveys. If signs of bat presence – such as droppings, roosting, evidence, or sighting – are detected during this season, a winter hibernation survey may also be necessary to understand the full ecological impact.

For more insights into bat species commonly found in Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas, including European protected species, such as the Brown long-eared bat and the rare Barbastelle bat, organisations like the Hertfordshire & Middlesex Bat Group provide helpful resources.

We tailor our approach depending on the location, habitat features, and potential bat activity at your site. Our assessments typically include:

• Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): The first step involves a close inspection of buildings or trees to check for signs of bats. This includes internal and external examinations for droppings, staining, or access points.
• Dusk & Dawn Surveys: If the PRA indicates potential bat presence, we conduct emergence and re-entry surveys. These take place around sunset and sunrise to monitor when bats leave and return to their roosts. We use advanced tools such as thermal cameras and bat detectors to gather accurate data while minimising disturbance.
• Nocturnal Activity Surveys: These detailed nighttime surveys focus on tracking bat movements, flight paths, and feeding areas. We use echolocation detectors and other monitoring equipment to identify the species present and their behavioural patterns.

With extensive experience in protected species surveys across the UK, Collington Winter Environmental provides a responsive, expert-led service designed to support development while protecting wildlife. Our ecologists hold Natural England Class Licences and work in collaboration with local conservation groups to ensure our work meets both ecological and planning standards.

Whether you’re just beginning your project in St Albans or responding to a request from the council, our team can help guide you through the bat survey and survey report process efficiently. We also offer a wide range of ecological services including:

• Great crested newt surveys
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA)
• Landscape architecture services

To discuss your requirements for your development site, including those related to habitat surveys and other protected species or land needs, or book a bat survey, St Albans, get in touch with Olivia Collington at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk. Alternatively, fill out our contact form to start your bat survey journey today.