Bat Survey, Bristol
What are bat surveys?
Bat activity surveys may be required for some developments to assist with planning applications during the planning permission process to find out whether the planned development could impact bats in the area. Typically, the local authorities will let you know whether or not a bat survey is required. The need to undertake bat ecology surveys could also be identified during a PEA survey.
Bat surveys detect when bats are present within the development area so that the development and planning processes can proceed. If the survey finds that there is evidence of bats in close proximity to a site, compensation and bat mitigation measures must be undertaken before any development work is permitted to proceed.
These measures are required as bats, and bat roosts, are protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 & Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, and they are also a European protected species under UK and European Legislation. Therefore, it is illegal to kill, harm or disturb bats in any way. It is important to carry out the necessary steps, even if the project is on a small scale, to ensure that you are working within legislation so that you may avoid fines.
Bat Survey Bristol: Bat Activity
The active season for bats in Bristol is at its peak during the summer months. Therefore, this is the best time of year to carry out survey work to determine the presence of roosting bats.
The many species of bat populations that are likely to be found in Southwest Bristol are Common and Soprano Pipistrelles, Nathusius’s bats, Daubenton’s bats, Natterer’s bats, Greater Horseshoe and Lesser Horseshoe bats.
Types of Bat Survey
There are two types of bat surveys which can help to discover whether signs of bats are present. The first is a preliminary roost assessment which involves a bat ecologist carrying out a site visit. They will carry out both an internal and external inspection of the building, looking for evidence of roosting bats, including insect feeding remains as well as bat droppings.
The second type are nocturnal bat emergence surveys. Emergence and re-entry surveys involve surveyors using bat detectors to record and analyse bat calls. These surveyors will operate either when bats are leaving their roosts to forage (dusk emergence surveys) or when the bats return to their roost site (dawn re-entry surveys) to determine the number of bats. It is an important line of work to detect these bats in order to ensure that the roosts are protected.
The costs of bat surveys are calculated based on the complexity of each project.
How can Collington Winter?
Collington Winter Environmental are an experienced team of ecological consultants with extensive knowledge in undertaking bat surveys using good practice guidelines. We regularly undertake bat surveys in Bristol and the South West on a wide range of projects, such as barn conversions or housing developments.
Our Ecology Director, Olivia Collington, holds a Natural England bat survey class licence and has worked with protected species throughout the UK.
We understand the importance of ecosystem services, natural resources, and natural capital, and we provide practical, realistic solutions to developers in all fields.
Please contact our Ecology Director Olivia Collington via email (Olivia.collington@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for information on protected species surveys and habitat surveys, such as bats and great crested newts. We also provide ecological appraisal and assessment services.
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