Bats
The Western Barbastelle in Hampshire - being overlooked?
This is the question addressed by ECOSA experts Trevor Codlin and Tristan Norton in the latest edition of the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC) Newsletter, Issue 18.
Please follow this link for a more complete summary of their findings and sample western barbastelle calls as sonograms and audio files.
Bats and the law
There are 17 species of bat resident in Britain plus other occasional visitors to the UK. Bats are fully protected by UK and European legislation including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.
It is an offence to kill, capture or disturb bats, or to damage, destroy or obstruct access to roosts. Should a bat roost be affected by development proposals a European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licence will be required before the development can proceed.
ECOSA carry out a range of surveys for all species of bat. These surveys include the assessment of trees and buildings for their potential to support roosting bats; surveys to confirm the presence and status of a roost and to identify key foraging and commuting habitat.
Our project experience includes numerous bat emergence/roosting and activity surveys for proposed developments, including renewable energy projects (wind farms), roads, housing developments, hospitals, schools and private homeowner extensions and loft conversions.
Bat surveys are subject to seasonal constraints and the licensing process can be complex. It is recommended that potential bat issues be investigated at an early stage to minimise delays to projects. Please consult our survey timetable.
Our ecologists hold Natural England, and Countryside Council for Wales, bat licences. Using our survey data we are able to devise appropriate mitigation strategies and we have successfully attained many licences for development works affecting bat roosts. Mitigation works range from the incorporation of bat roost features within new buildings to the design of dedicated bat roosts.
Minimum survey requirements for bats: A small site would require at least three surveys each performed by two surveyors. See the survey timetable for optimal months.