Bat Surveys
Bat Surveys

Bat Surveys

There are 16 species of bat in the UK. All bats use trees, hedges, woodland and watercourses to some extent and many use man-made structures as roosting sites. All bats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the EU Habitats Directive. It is a criminal offence to disturb, take or destroy the roosting feature/habitat being used by a bat. Our ecologists are licensed by Natural England (NE) and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to survey roosts and assess bat populations .

 

We offer the following bat surveys

 

  • Initial Survey – A survey design to identify potential roosting and habitat opportunities in buildings, trees and other structures and assess signs of bat activity. This survey will inform the ecologist if further surveys are required during the main survey season May to August.
  • Activity Survey – Activity surveys (undertaken between May and August) are used to establish the type of bat roost (e.g. feeding or maternity) and the species of bat present. This information informs us as to whether mitigation measures to protect bats during development and a Natural England European Protected Species development license are required.
  • Natural England European Protected Species (EPS) Development License – Occasionally, where rare bats or significant roosts are present, a license is required from Natural England prior to any development works to authorise the proposed mitigation and work plans. Our ecologists can help guide you through this process, providing expert advice on mitigation and enhancement.

Bat Surveys

     

  • Wind Turbines – Most wind turbine planning applications require a bat survey and mitigation plan to accompany them. The bat survey involves desktop studies, habitat assessment, transect surveys and remote detector surveys. The survey effort is proportionate to the scale of the wind farm and the associated risk.
  • Code for Sustainable Homes – Our ecologists can provide an ecology report in relation to Eco credits 1 to 5. The survey consists of a site visit, protected species scoping survey and mitigation and enhancement recommendations.

 

Bat Surveys

 

Contact OHES

Call +44 (0) 870 240 3329 or
email info@ohes.co.uk