Direct dial telephone: Tony Bird - 07715 931826
BATS
There are 18 bat species in the UK of which 17 are known to breed here.
Seven of these species are on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) list and these species vary according
to the individual Local BAP.
Each bat species has a different habitat preference although some do overlap.
Like humans, bats need a source of water, food (bats are insectivores) and shelter (roosts).
Bats will typically forage for food in habitats such as woodlands, woodland edges, along hedgerows, within scrub, in gardens, along rivers and over ponds and lakes. In fact bats will forage almost anywhere insects gather.
Their roosts can vary throughout the year but are typically found within buildings (especially roof spaces), trees, caves, tunnels, bridges and mines.
Bats always make use of their surroundings and can be found in both rural and urban environments.
Survey Methods
Preliminary Roost Assessment
The purpose of this assessment is to carry out a detailed inspection of the building both internally and externally, searching for features that bats could use, such as; entrance and exit points in the building, roosting potential (gaps, cracks and crevices) and any evidence that bats inhabit the building e.g. droppings, feeding remnants etc.
Presence/Absence Survey
This survey involves visiting the site at dawn and/or dusk to monitor bat activity in and around the building/s using bat detectors, infrared cameras or thermal imaging.
The main objective of the survey is to determine the presence/absence of bats at that time and specifically to identify the species, numbers, access points and roost locations.
The data collected will determine any necessary further survey effort or will help design the best mitigation strategy.
Transect/Activity Surveys
These surveys follow a predetermined 'transect route' to record bat activity and flight-lines within the project site. The data collected enables the ecologist to evaluate if the proposed development will impact bats as they commute or forage.
Further information https://www.gov.uk/bats-surveys-and-mitigation-for-development-projects
All bats and their roosts (whether bats are present or not) are protected under the following UK and international legislation:
Wildlife & Countryside Act (as Amended) 1981: Schedule 5
The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC, 2006)
Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended): Schedule 2
Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW 2000)
To summarise, you would be breaking the law if you were to;
deliberately capture, injure or kill bats
damage or destroy a breeding or resting place
obstruct access to their resting or sheltering places
possess, sell, control or transport live or dead bats, or parts of them
intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat while it’s in a structure or place of shelter or protection
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If the key indicators are triggered during an initial survey, then you will need an emergence/return survey known as a presence/absence survey. This will involve at least three visits to your site to determine if you have a roost present. If a roost is present a mitigation programme will be included in your report. If bats are known to be present at the project site and the development work would disturb/destroy the roost then you will need to apply for a Natural England Development Licence.
