Bat Survey Northumberland: Protected Species Surveys
Bat surveys are undertaken for development sites to inform planning applications and determine presence of bats and whether the development will have an impact on bats in the area. The local planning authority will usually let you know which types of survey are required.
A bat survey will detect the presence or likely absence of bats in a particular area so that plans can be made to proceed with a development. If bats are found to be present on a site, mitigation and compensation measures must be undertaken before any development work can begin.
There are many species of bat which are likely to be found in Northumberland and the North East. These include, common pipistrelle bat, Noctule bat, soprano pipistrelle bat, Daubentons’ bat, Whiskered bat, Brandt’s’ bat and Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat.
In Northumberland, bat activity is highest during the summer months. Therefore, surveys should be carried out during this time to determine the presence of roosting bats. If bat activity is found during a bat survey in the summer months, a bat hibernation survey may be required during the winter to establish whether the area is also used by hibernating bats.
Bat Survey Northumberland: Types of Bat Survey
Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment: A preliminary roost assessment is the first step in the bat surveying process which involves an ecologist carrying out a site visit. They will carry out an internal and external inspection of the building looking for evidence of bats, including insect feeding remains and bat droppings.
Nocturnal bat surveys: This involves surveyors using bat detectors to record and analyse bat calls. Surveyors may conduct dusk emergence surveys (when bats are leaving their roosts to forage). Alternatively, they may conduct dawn re-entry surveys (the end of the night out when all the bats return back to their roosts).
How Can Collington Winter Assist?
Collington Winter Environmental is an ecological consultancy with extensive experience in undertaking bat and ecological survey work on all types of development projects. Our Ecology Director, Olivia Collington, holds a Natural England Bat licence, and has worked with licensed bat workers and European protected species across the UK, including Northumberland.
Please get in touch with our Ecology Director Olivia Collington (Olivia.collington@collingtonwinter.co.uk) for more information on bat surveys, Yorkshire. We also provide ecological appraisal and assessment services.
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