Bat Surveys

Bat Surveys

We have over 10 years’ experience in undertaking ecology assessments and bat surveys for the purposes of site development, building restoration, infrastructure projects, habitat restoration and planning applications.

Bat emergence surveys or bat re-entry surveys are undertaken to determine the presence or absence of roosting bats within a structure, typically a building or tree and are required to be carried out during the months May – September in accordance with Bat Conservation Trust Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines. 

Bat emergence surveys are carried out at dusk when bats leave their roosts for the purpose of foraging and data including; species, behaviour and numbers are observed and recorded using bat detectors for identification purposes. Bat re-entry surveys are undertaken at dawn where bats typically return to their roosting sites and again, species, numbers and behaviour are all observed and recorded.

The number of bat surveys required is depending on the risk (see below table) of roosting bats using the structure which is determined by the bat risk assessment and all finding reported in a bat survey report.

Bat Roost Suitability	Recommended Bat Survey Scope and Timing
Negligible	None
Low	One dusk bat emergence or dawn bat re-entry survey during May to August for structures. No further survey for trees.
Moderate	One dusk bat emergence AND one separate dawn bat re-entry survey spaced at least two weeks apart during May to September. At least one survey conducted between May and August.
High	Three separate bat surveys including at least one dusk bat emergence and one dawn bat re-entry spaced at least two weeks apart during May to September. At least two of the surveys conducted between May and August.

The impact of having bats present within a structured proposed for development or change depends on the number and the species of bats using the space and requires the approval of a Natural England mitigation licence to carry out work that may affect bats.

We undertake the majority of our bat surveys within the north east of England including; Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (Newcastle and Sunderland), Durham, and Cumbria but do regularly travel countrywide.  If you wish to discuss a project or would like any further information, please get in touch using the below details.

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