Bat Activity
Surveys
Bat activity surveys are often required where a proposed development will make significant landscape modifications (e.g housing developments, road schemes and wind farms) that could potentially impact important habitat for bats.
The aim of bat activity surveys is to:
- Determine the species of bat using a site or area
- Understand the context of how bats use a site
- Inform the project design to avoid impacts to bats
Bat activity surveys should be undertaken prior to the submission of a planning application or prior to the commencement of a project not subject to planning consent.
What you need to know about bat activity surveys
Our approach
At Arun Ecology, our bat activity surveys are carried out in accordance with the Bat Conservation Trusts good practice guidelines for surveying bats, where safe to do so. This is the standard methodology expected by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and regulators such as Natural England.
We have in-house specialist bat ecologists who have extensive experience in leading bat activity surveys across projects of all scales.
We use the highest specification equipment on the market to record bats, ensuring full and accurate data capture on-site. Our bat activity survey reports are supported by georeferenced digital mapping, for clear visualisation of the survey results.
The bat activity survey
Bat activity surveys involve a survey team walking a predefined transect across a site, encompassing important habitats and landscape features.
Details of the bat species, their numbers and behaviour such as commuting lines, foraging and swarming are recorded visually and with the aid of ultrasonic bat detectors.
Static bat detectors are also placed on the transects and important habitat features within the site to record bats and their activity. The static detectors are left for a longer period at the site and help to establish how bats use the site over a longer period.
How will you know when a survey is needed?
The need for a bat activity survey and the number of surveys required will usually be outlined in a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report. This assessment will be based upon the proposals, the suitability of habitat within the site, and information gathered in a desk study that extends outside of the site boundary.
Your Local Planning Authority may also request or advise that bat activity surveys are undertaken for your project as part of a planning application. However, this request should not be relied upon, as the responsibility ultimately relies with your team.
Survey timings
Bat activity surveys can be undertaken from April-October. The survey effort will be based upon habitat suitability classification assigned for the habitat on-site.
Low Suitability Habitat
One survey visit per season (spring, summer and autumn) totalling three separate survey visits with one automated static bat detector for 5 nights per season.
Moderate Suitability
One survey visit per month between April – October, including one back-to-back dusk and pre-dawn bat activity survey. Two automated static bat detectors for five nights per month (April to October) per transect.
High
Suitability
Up to two survey visits per month between April to October. Including one back-to-back dusk and pre-dawn bat activity survey. Three automated static bat detectors placed for five nights per month (April to October) per transect.
What next?
The outcome of a bat activity survey should feed into a review of the project design. This will help to avoid impacts to bats and their habitats, or incorporate appropriate mitigation to safeguard the long term use of the site for bats.
The bat activity report submitted by Arun Ecology can be used for submission with planning applications as used to demonstrate that appropriate surveys for bats have been undertaken.
FAQs
At Arun Ecology we will provide you with a questionnaire prior to any survey on the information we require to complete the survey, predominantly focusing on land access and health and safety. As an insight we require the following information:
- Land parcel and building access
- Any tenants present have been informed of the survey
- Any other hazards that might be present at the site (such as livestock or plant activity)
Local Planning Authorities have a legal duty to assess the potential impacts of a proposal development on protected species (such as bats) before giving consent for a planning application. Planning permission could be refused if your project impacts important bat habitat, or does not take into account important bat activity within the proposed site. Furthermore, it could impair the ability of bat populations to survive. In line with biodiversity and geological conservation: circular 06/2005, protected species surveys (such as bat activity surveys) should be completed prior to submitting a planning application and should not be conditions of planning.
The suitability of the habitat for bats will normally be included within a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report. This will normally include a category of suitability for the site and recommendations on the survey effort required. Local Planning Authorities might also request a bat activity survey for certain proposals in any pre-planning discussions.
Bat activity surveys will determine the bat species, the level and type of bats activity within a site and any important habitat features. The outcome of the survey is normally included within a bat activity survey report or an Ecological Impact Assessment Report. Within these reports, specific recommendations on avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures on any potential impacts to bats resulting from the development will be made.
Helping to address the ecological
and climate crisis
At Arun Ecology it’s not all just about driving business. We want to contribute to addressing the challenges of our time to ensure a prosperous future for the next generation.
So, as part of our service, each time you commission us we are committed to planting one tree within the UK, through our partnership with Creating Tomorrow’s Forests.
Watch this space to find out more about how we are contributing to nature recovery and tackling climate change.
Contact us
Contact us today or request a call back at a more convenient time to discuss your project.
Whether you wish to request a quote or ask us a question, our friendly and experienced team will always be happy to advise and will endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.