British Bats
Long Eared Bat in flight © Andy Harmer
In summary Fauna Forest Ecology can arrange:
- Phase-1 Habitat Surveys at your development site
- Conduct an Extended Phase-1 Surveys
- Scoping surveys for bats
- DNA dropping analysis to determine species
- Dusk/Dawn surveys
- Transect bat surveys
- Analyse bat calls to identify species and activity
- Appropriate reports
- Compensation or mitigation advice to support development/EPSL applications
- Arrange tool-box talks with developers/contractors
- Supervise demolition
Fauna Forest Ecology Ltd are ecological bat consultant specialists. During peak season, we spend the majority of our time surveying bats and assisting with development projects. Initial assessments as part of our ecological appraisal are conducted during the day, to identify if bats are present or using a site. Once we have scoped the site out in search of bat-related evidence, a series of surveys are carried out at dusk and dawn, in order to identify if bats are using the site for roosting, foraging or other activates.
If bats are observed, our specialist equipment records their echolocation calls, which are later analysed on computer software, to determine species and activity information. Further surveys are likely to be required if evidence suggests bats are present. Our bat ecologists will ensure that your development project can proceed, and complies with current guidelines outlined by statutory bodies and the Bat Conservation Trust.
Following our preliminary appraisal, our bat ecologists can structure a compensation and mitigation strategy towards the application of a development licence. Our ecologists hold licences to survey bats in England, Scotland and Wales.
Following our preliminary appraisal, our bat ecologists can structure a compensation and mitigation strategy towards the application of a development licence. Our ecologists hold licences to survey bats in England, Scotland and Wales.
Bats and their protection
All British bat species are fully protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Bats and their roosts are protected by law, regardless weather the roost is occupied or not It is an offence to:
- Deliberately capture, injure, kill, disturb, posses, advertise, sell or exchange a bat, or part of a bat, dead or alive
- Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to their roosts, even if there are no bats present
- Damage or destroy a roost
The legislation is relevant to anybody, however the below should pay particular notice:
- Property owners/householders who have a bat roost in their property
- Woodland owners, arboriculturalists and foresters H Pest controllers
- Planning officers and building surveyors
- Architects, builders and roofers, demolition companies and property developers.
What to do if you find a grounded bat:
If you find an injured or grounded bat, please call the Bat Helpline: 0345 1300 228 (calls are charged at local rate)
Our involvement with bats
We are active members of Derbyshire Bat Group and Herefordshire Mammal Group. This year we were privileged to assist DBG with their on-going project at a number of cave and mine systems in the Peak District National Park. Project licences are in place to allow harp rapping and mist netting. Not only is the project an important scientific study, but also a great way to interact, handle and observe bats up-close. We also assist with DBG's bat box checks during the autumn months.
Herefordshire Mammal Group is also active. We have been involved with both bat box checks and some dormouse monitoring. Next year, we will spend more time assisting Denise with a project that she is currently leading in Herefordshire.
Herefordshire Mammal Group is also active. We have been involved with both bat box checks and some dormouse monitoring. Next year, we will spend more time assisting Denise with a project that she is currently leading in Herefordshire.
Jersey 2017
David has wanted to see a grey long-eared bat, Plecotus austriacus, for some years now. This species of bat is restricted to the south of England and part of Wales. David arranged to visit Jersey Bat Group in 2017 harp trapping GLE bats, which are more common in the Channel Islands.
Fauna Forest Ecology are also involved with a number of local bat box schemes in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. We have bat boxes at two sites, which were erected in 2016. We also assist Morgan Hughes, chair of Brum Bats, with her bat box schemes at Rough Wood and Merrions Wood, Walsall, West Midlands.
David is a Natural England Voluntary Bat Roost Visitor. This role is purely voluntary for the love of bats, providing a great opportunity to visit roosts that are protected monitored by Natural England.
Fauna Forest Ecology are also involved with a number of local bat box schemes in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. We have bat boxes at two sites, which were erected in 2016. We also assist Morgan Hughes, chair of Brum Bats, with her bat box schemes at Rough Wood and Merrions Wood, Walsall, West Midlands.
David is a Natural England Voluntary Bat Roost Visitor. This role is purely voluntary for the love of bats, providing a great opportunity to visit roosts that are protected monitored by Natural England.
01782 32 68 59 |
07917 76 54 64
| © 2019 Fauna Forest Ecology Ltd. Registered company number in England: 10184201