Posts Tagged ‘bat roost’
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
UES recently completed a bat and ecological scoping survey of a farm in Swindon. Our client has plans to demolish a number of buildings on site and convert other buildings for use as a hotel.
13 buildings were surveyed in total, of which 5 were identified as having high potential for use by bats. Low number of bat droppings believed to be long-eared species Plecotus were found in the internal roof spaces of the farmhouse. UES recommended further surveys on these buildings prior to the start on site to determine how many bats are present and how they are using the buildings.
All bats and their roosts are fully protected by law. Without detailed surveys you are at risk of destroying a bat roost or foraging grounds, which could have devastating consequences for the local bat population, and could land you with a fine or even a jail sentence and some very bad publicity.
During the survey UES recognised that the buildings and trees on site were all suitable for use by roosting and breeding birds, therefore any building works should be carried out outside of the breeding bird season (March to August inclusive) in order that breeding birds are not affected. If this is not possible then either a targeted breeding bird survey should be carried out or an ecological clerk of works appointed.
All breeding birds are protected under schedule 9 of the wildlife and countryside act 1981(as amended). Wild birds are protected from being killed, injured or captured. Their nests are protected from being damaged, destroyed or taken. Several species are included in schedule 1 of the act which gives them and their young protection while nesting.
The presence of protected species is a material consideration when a planning authority is considering a development proposal. The presence of protected species and the effect of the proposed development must be established before planning permission can be granted.
Tags: aerial tree inspection, aerial tree inspections, barn conversion, bat, bat activity survey, bat activity surveys, bat box fitting, bat boxes, bat building inspection, bat building survey, bat building surveys, bat Cheshire, bat ecological survey, bat ecological surveys, bat field survey, bat licence, bat presence / absence survey, bat presence / absence surveys, bat roost, bat roost survey, bat roost surveys, bat scoping survey, bat scoping surveys, bat survey, bat survey Bedfordshire, bat survey Buckinghamshire, bat survey Cambridgeshire, Bat survey Cheshire, bat survey Chester, bat survey Congleton, bat survey Crewe, bat survey Derbyshire, bat survey Ellesmere Port, bat survey Flintshire, bat survey Halton, bat survey Herefordshire, bat survey Hertfordshire, bat survey Knutsford, bat survey Lancashire, bat survey Leicestershire, bat survey Lincolnshire, bat survey Macclesfield, bat survey Manchester, bat survey Merseyside, bat survey Nantwich, bat survey north west, bat survey Northamptonshire, bat survey Northwich, bat survey Nottinghamshire, bat survey Oxfordshire, bat survey Runcorn, bat survey Shropshire, bat survey Staffordshire, bat survey Vale Royal, bat survey Warwickshire, bat survey Wilmslow, bat survey Winsford, bat survey Wirral, bat survey Worcestershire, bat survey Wrexham, bat survey Yorkshire, bat surveyor, bat surveys, bat surveys north west, bats, bats Cheshire, bats in buildings, BREEAM, breeding bird, breeding bird survey, breeding birds, brown long eared bat, code for sustainable homes, Common pipistrelle, CSH, Daubentons bat, demolition, ecological assessment, ecological assessment survey, ecological consultancy, ecological consultancy Cheshire, ecological consultant, ecological consultant Cheshire, ecological consultant north west, ecological management, ecological survey, ecological survey Cheshire, ecological survey Swindon, ecological surveys, ecological surveys Cheshire, ecology report, ecology report Cheshire, ecology reports, environment assessment, environment assessment survey, european protected species licence, extended phase 1 survey, loft conversion, Nathusius pipistrelle, natterers bat, Natural England, noctule bat, planning permission, protected species survey, protected species survey Cheshire, protected species surveys, soprano pipistrelle, tree roost, tree survey, wildlife and countryside act 1981
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Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
UES recently completed a bat scoping survey of a house and associated outbuildings in Lancashire. Our client has plans to demolish a number of buildings onsite and is applying for planning permission for a new build housing scheme.
The aim of the survey was to assess the site for the presence of bat roosts and bat activity within the structure of the buildings. The buildings were searched both externally and internally for bat presence and features associated with bat activity, as detailed in Bat Conservation Trust guidance (2007).
No field signs of bats such as droppings, feeding remains, rubbing or urine stains were found during the building inspections, and as such UES deemed that no further survey work was required in relation to bats.
However, house sparrows were observed breeding inside the building, and therefore mitigation and compensation measures were suggested in relation to breeding birds as ‘The Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981’ states that all wild birds are protected. Under the WCA, it is an offence to kill, injure or take any wild bird, to take damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird, or to take or destroy the egg of any wild bird.
Tags: aerial tree inspection, aerial tree inspections, barn conversion, bat, bat activity survey, bat activity surveys, bat box fitting, bat boxes, bat building inspection, bat building survey, bat building surveys, bat Cheshire, bat ecological survey, bat ecological surveys, bat field survey, bat licence, bat presence / absence survey, bat presence / absence surveys, bat roost, bat roost survey, bat roost surveys, bat scoping survey, bat scoping surveys, bat survey, bat survey Bedfordshire, bat survey Buckinghamshire, bat survey Cambridgeshire, Bat survey Cheshire, bat survey Chester, bat survey Congleton, bat survey Crewe, bat survey Derbyshire, bat survey Ellesmere Port, bat survey Flintshire, bat survey Halton, bat survey Herefordshire, bat survey Hertfordshire, bat survey Knutsford, bat survey Lancashire, bat survey Leicestershire, bat survey Lincolnshire, bat survey Macclesfield, bat survey Manchester, bat survey Merseyside, bat survey Nantwich, bat survey north west, bat survey Northamptonshire, bat survey Northwich, bat survey Nottinghamshire, bat survey Oxfordshire, bat survey Runcorn, bat survey Shropshire, bat survey Staffordshire, bat survey Vale Royal, bat survey Warwickshire, bat survey Wilmslow, bat survey Winsford, bat survey Wirral, bat survey Worcestershire, bat survey Wrexham, bat survey Yorkshire, bat surveyor, bat surveys, bat surveys north west, bats, bats Cheshire, bats in buildings, BREEAM, breeding bird survey, breeding birds, brown long eared bat, Chorley, code for sustainable homes, Common pipistrelle, CSH, Daubentons bat, demolition, ecological assessment, ecological assessment survey, ecological consultancy, ecological consultancy Cheshire, ecological consultant, ecological consultant Cheshire, ecological consultant north west, ecological management, ecological survey, ecological survey Cheshire, ecological surveys, ecological surveys Cheshire, ecology report, ecology report Cheshire, ecology reports, environment assessment, environment assessment survey, european protected species licence, extended phase 1 survey, loft conversion, Nathusius pipistrelle, natterers bat, Natural England, noctule bat, planning permission, protected species survey, protected species survey Cheshire, protected species surveys, soprano pipistrelle, tree roost, tree survey, wildlife and countryside act 1981
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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011
UES conducted a full bat survey of a barn in Marlow, Buckinghamshire in September 2011. Our client plans to change the use of the barn from agricultural to a dwelling.
Low numbers of common species of bats were observed using the area to forage and commute. The species recorded were Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus.
During the course of the survey some evidence of badgers was found including feeding remains and a latrine. A single badger was also observed in a hole on the northwest corner of the barn.
UES are currently completing badger monitoring surveys of the site in Buckinghamshire using remote wildlife cameras. Remote cameras are ideal for badger monitoring surveys allowing you to set it up onsite and return later to collect your images. Remote cameras can be set to take pictures or videos regularly with the time lapse facility, or when it is triggered by an animal moving into the field of view. Either way, it gives a remarkable insight into the wildlife in the vicinity.
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Remote wildlife camera – Rabbit
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Remote wildlife camera – Rabbits
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Remote wildlife camera – Rat
Tags: aerial tree inspection, aerial tree inspections, badger, badger activity surveys, badger Cheshire, badger ecological survey, badger ecological surveys, badger field survey, badger latrines, badger licence, badger scoping survey, badger scoping surveys, badger sett, badger sett entrance, badger sett survey, badger survey, badger survey Bedfordshire, badger survey Buckinghamshire, badger survey Cambridgeshire, badger survey Cheshire, badger survey Chester, badger survey Congleton, badger survey Crewe, badger survey Derbyshire, badger survey Ellesmere Port, badger survey Flintshire, badger survey Halton, badger survey Herefordshire, badger survey Hertfordshire, badger survey Knutsford, badger survey Lancashire, badger survey Leicestershire, badger survey Lincolnshire, badger survey Macclesfield, badger survey Manchester, badger survey Merseyside, badger survey Nantwich, badger survey north west, badger survey Northamptonshire, badger survey Northwich, badger survey Nottinghamshire, badger survey Oxfordshire, badger survey Runcorn, badger survey Shropshire, badger survey Staffordshire, badger survey Vale Royal, badger survey Warwickshire, badger survey Wilmslow, badger survey Winsford, badger survey Wirral, badger survey Worcestershire, badger survey Wrexham, badger survey Yorkshire, badger surveyor, badger surveys, badger surveys north west, badger tracks, badgers, badgers act 1992, badgers Cheshire, barn conversion, bat, bat activity survey, bat activity surveys, bat box fitting, bat boxes, bat building inspection, bat building survey, bat building surveys, bat Cheshire, bat ecological survey, bat ecological surveys, bat field survey, bat licence, bat presence / absence survey, bat presence / absence surveys, bat roost, bat roost survey, bat roost surveys, bat scoping survey, bat scoping surveys, bat survey, bat survey Bedfordshire, bat survey Buckinghamshire, bat survey Cambridgeshire, Bat survey Cheshire, bat survey Chester, bat survey Congleton, bat survey Crewe, bat survey Derbyshire, bat survey Ellesmere Port, bat survey Flintshire, bat survey Halton, bat survey Herefordshire, bat survey Hertfordshire, bat survey Knutsford, bat survey Lancashire, bat survey Leicestershire, bat survey Lincolnshire, bat survey Macclesfield, bat survey Manchester, bat survey Merseyside, bat survey Nantwich, bat survey north west, bat survey Northamptonshire, bat survey Northwich, bat survey Nottinghamshire, bat survey Oxfordshire, bat survey Runcorn, bat survey Shropshire, bat survey Staffordshire, bat survey Vale Royal, bat survey Warwickshire, bat survey Wilmslow, bat survey Winsford, bat survey Wirral, bat survey Worcestershire, bat survey Wrexham, bat survey Yorkshire, bat surveyor, bat surveys, bat surveys north west, bats, bats Cheshire, bats in buildings, BREEAM, brown long eared bat, code for sustainable homes, Common pipistrelle, CSH, Daubentons bat, demolition, ecological assessment, ecological assessment survey, ecological management, environment assessment, environment assessment survey, european protected species licence, extended phase 1 survey, loft conversion, Nathusius pipistrelle, natterers bat, Natural England, noctule bat, planning permission, soprano pipistrelle, tree roost, tree survey, wildlife and countryside act 1981, woodland development
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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011
During September Toby attended a week long bat research workshop in a small coastal village called Sougia in Crete. In 2008, 17 bat species of bats had been recorded on Crete, some of which only occur in the eastern Mediterranean. The European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis) is the most widely recorded species, but also found on this island are Blasius’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus blasii), Long-fingered bat (Myotis capaccinii), Kuhl’s pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhli), Savi’s pipistrelle (Pipistrellus savi), Hanaki ‘s dwarf bat (Pipistrellus hanaki), plus Kolombatovic’s long-eared bat (Plecotus kolombatovici) and Mountain long-eared bat (Plecotus macrobullaris).
Toby was involved in carrying out an inventory of bats in the southwest of Crete by a combination of bat detector surveys, trapping at underground site entrances and at ponds, over streams and in gorges, including the 17km long Samaria Gorge, which is one of the longest gorges in Europe.
Species Toby recorded in Crete;
- European free-tailed bat
- Lesser horseshoe (Rhinolophus hipposideros)
- Greater horseshoe (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum)
- Blasius’s horseshoe bat
- Kuhl’s pipistrelle
- Savi’s pipistrelle
- Hanaki ‘s dwarf bat
- Long-fingered bat
- Lesser mouse-eared bat (Myotis blythii)
- Whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus)
- Lesser mouse-eared subspecies
- Shreiber’s bat (Miniopterus schreibersii)
- Mountain long-eared bat
- Kolombatovic’s long-eared bat
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Blasius’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus blasii)
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European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis)
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Greater horseshoe (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum)
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Hanaki’s dwarf bat (Pipistrellus hanaki)
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Kuhl’s pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhli)
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Lesser mouse-eared bat (Myotis blythii)
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Lesser mouse-eared subspecies
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Shreiber’s bat (Miniopterus schreibersii)
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Whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus)
Tags: bat roost, bat survey, bat surveys, bats Crete, ecological consultant, ecological consultant Cheshire, ecological survey, ecological survey Cheshire, ecological surveys
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Monday, August 15th, 2011
Fitting a bat box
UES have completed a bat presence/absence survey at a site in Cheshire. Our client intended to demolish a building and so a bat survey was required in order to inform the planning process.
The building was searched internally and externally for signs of use by bats, and emergence and return roost surveys were carried out. The surveys found bats roosting in the boxed soffits of the building and also under the roof and ridge tiles.
UES recommended that a licensed bat ecologist be present during the demolition in case any bats were found within the building. During demolition a male pipistrelle was found roosting under the roof tiles and so was carefully rehomed to a new bat box that UES had positioned on site.
Tags: aerial tree inspection, aerial tree inspections, barn conversion, bat, bat activity survey, bat activity surveys, bat box fitting, bat boxes, bat building inspection, bat building survey, bat building surveys, bat Cheshire, bat ecological survey, bat ecological surveys, bat field survey, bat licence, bat presence / absence survey, bat presence / absence surveys, bat roost, bat roost survey, bat roost surveys, bat scoping survey, bat scoping surveys, bat survey, bat survey Bedfordshire, bat survey Buckinghamshire, bat survey Cambridgeshire, Bat survey Cheshire, bat survey Chester, bat survey Congleton, bat survey cranage, bat survey Crewe, bat survey Derbyshire, bat survey Ellesmere Port, bat survey Flintshire, bat survey Halton, bat survey Herefordshire, bat survey Hertfordshire, bat survey Knutsford, bat survey Lancashire, bat survey Leicestershire, bat survey Lincolnshire, bat survey Macclesfield, bat survey Manchester, bat survey Merseyside, bat survey Nantwich, bat survey north west, bat survey Northamptonshire, bat survey Northwich, bat survey Nottinghamshire, bat survey Oxfordshire, bat survey Runcorn, bat survey Shropshire, bat survey Staffordshire, bat survey Vale Royal, bat survey Warwickshire, bat survey Wilmslow, bat survey Winsford, bat survey Wirral, bat survey Worcestershire, bat survey Wrexham, bat survey Yorkshire, bat surveyor, bat surveys, bat surveys north west, bats, bats Cheshire, bats in buildings, BREEAM, brown long eared bat, code for sustainable homes, Common pipistrelle, CSH, Daubentons bat, demolition, ecological assessment, ecological assessment survey, ecological consultancy, ecological consultancy Cheshire, ecological consultant, ecological consultant Cheshire, ecological consultant north west, ecological management, ecological survey, ecological survey Cheshire, ecological surveys, ecological surveys Cheshire, ecology report, ecology report Cheshire, ecology reports, environment assessment, environment assessment survey, european protected species licence, extended phase 1 survey, loft conversion, Nathusius pipistrelle, natterers bat, Natural England, noctule bat, planning permission, protected species survey, protected species survey Cheshire, protected species surveys, soprano pipistrelle, tile removal, tree roost, tree survey, wildlife and countryside act 1981
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Friday, July 15th, 2011
BCT runs a number of national, annual surveys to monitor the status of bats throughout the UK. These surveys form the National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP). UES volunteers with around 3000 others to collect essential data on bat populations every year.
UES is currently completing field surveys of 3 sites in Cheshire. Each survey involves walking a triangular route in a randomly allocated 1km square on two evenings in July, to record noctule, serotine, common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle bat activity. UES uses several pieces of equipment during a bat survey; bat boxes which can detect the echolocation calls of bats, and the Anabat system which detects bat echolocation calls and displays them visually on a PDA screen which makes recording of the bat calls and identification of the bat species much more accurate.
The NBMP is of great importance as UK bat populations have declined considerably during the past century due to building and development works affecting roosts, and the loss of feeding habitats and flightlines.
Tags: aerial tree inspection, aerial tree inspections, barn conversion, bat, bat activity survey, bat activity surveys, bat box fitting, bat boxes, bat building inspection, bat building survey, bat building surveys, bat Cheshire, Bat Conservation Trust, bat ecological survey, bat ecological surveys, bat field survey, bat licence, bat presence / absence survey, bat presence / absence surveys, bat roost, bat roost survey, bat roost surveys, bat scoping survey, bat scoping surveys, bat survey, bat survey Bedfordshire, bat survey Buckinghamshire, bat survey Cambridgeshire, Bat survey Cheshire, bat survey Chester, bat survey Congleton, bat survey Crewe, bat survey Derbyshire, bat survey Ellesmere Port, bat survey Flintshire, bat survey Halton, bat survey Herefordshire, bat survey Hertfordshire, bat survey Knutsford, bat survey Lancashire, bat survey Leicestershire, bat survey Lincolnshire, bat survey Macclesfield, bat survey Manchester, bat survey Merseyside, bat survey Nantwich, bat survey north west, bat survey Northamptonshire, bat survey Northwich, bat survey Nottinghamshire, bat survey Oxfordshire, bat survey Runcorn, bat survey Shropshire, bat survey Staffordshire, bat survey Vale Royal, bat survey Warwickshire, bat survey Wilmslow, bat survey Winsford, bat survey Wirral, bat survey Worcestershire, bat survey Wrexham, bat survey Yorkshire, bat surveyor, bat surveys, bat surveys north west, bats, bats Cheshire, bats in buildings, BCT, BREEAM, brown long eared bat, code for sustainable homes, Common pipistrelle, CSH, Daubentons bat, demolition, ecological assessment, ecological assessment survey, ecological consultancy, ecological consultancy Cheshire, ecological consultant, ecological consultant Cheshire, ecological consultant north west, ecological management, ecological survey, ecological survey Cheshire, ecological surveys, ecological surveys Cheshire, ecology report, ecology report Cheshire, ecology reports, environment assessment, environment assessment survey, european protected species licence, extended phase 1 survey, loft conversion, Nathusius pipistrelle, national bat monitoring programme, natterers bat, Natural England, NBMP, noctule bat, planning permission, protected species survey, protected species survey Cheshire, protected species surveys, soprano pipistrelle, tree roost, tree survey, wildlife and countryside act 1981
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Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
Stewart attended the Bioblitz event at Norton priory on Friday evening to help with the bat surveys.
The event was organised by Cheshire Active Naturalists (CAN). The aim of the event was to record as many species of wildlife as possible on the site, with a target of 1000 species. Experts and specialists in many different field gathered at the site for the weekend event.
Stewart spent Friday evening recording bat species present on site . A total of six species of bat were found including common pipistrelle bats, soprano pipistrelle bats, Noctule bats, Brown long eared bats, Daubentons bats and whiskered / Brandts bats. Bats were seen to emerge from the buildings on site during the evening emergence survey. Most species of bats were recorded during the activity surveys around the canal and woodlands on the site.
The event was a great success for the CAN group and many members of the public attended a number of walks to search for species in the area. At the last count around 600 species had been recorded, but some samples were still being examined to determine the exact species.
More details of the event can be found on the Cheshire Active Naturalists website by clicking the link below.
http://www.cheshireactivenaturalists.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=85
Tags: bat emergence surveys, bat roost, Bat survey Cheshire, bat surveys in cheshire, Bioblitz, brown long eared bat, Cheshire, Cheshire Active Naturalists, Common pipistrelle - Pipistrellus pipistrellus, daubentons bats, noctule bat, soprano pipistrelle
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Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
An article has been published on the Inpractice website which gives guidance to veterinarians on the care of British bats. Bats are often taken in to care by members of the public or volunteer bat workers.
Some of the common injuries found in bats are when domestic cats attack bats. Cats will wait outside the bat roost entrance and then attack bats as they leave the roost. The injuries associated with this are often torn wings and punctures. The wings of an injured bat will sometimes heal naturally other more serious injuries may result in death or unfortunately euthanasia.
Bats are also often injured by members of the public when they discover bats in their houses and try to catch them. The types of injuries found are on the bat are often broken wings and legs form being handled too roughly. A bat with broken legs cannot roost, feed or clean itself and will die without intervention.
If bats are found in the home or injured the best thing to do is call the bat conservation trust who will arrange for a bat worker to come and collect the bat and take it to get appropriate care.
The bat conservation trust helpline number is 0845 1300 228
Click on the link below for a pdf of the full article
http://inpractice.bmj.com/content/32/6/254.full.pdf
Tags: bat care, bat helpline, bat injuries, bat roost, bats, brown long eared bat, daubentons bats, injured bat, natterers bat, pipistrelle bat, veterinarian
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Friday, August 6th, 2010
Bat surveys may be required prior to gaining planning permission from local planning authorities. Because bats and their habitats are fully protested under both British and European legislation LPA’s have to take them into account as a material consideration of planning
A wide array of projects require bat surveys prior to planning permission being granted. A large proportion of these are projects which affect existing buildings and trees. The reason for this is that bats roost in buildings and trees, and so anything which has the potential to affect these could potentially harm bats and lead to a breach of the legislation.
Bats have been found to use many different areas in buildings to roost. Essentially any gap in the building could be used by roosting bats. Bats such as the common pipistrelle and brown long eared bat are commonly found in cavity walls, roof spaces, underneath roof tiles, behind boarding and behind boxed soffits. Local planning authorities are likely to ask for bat surveys to be completed prior to any work taking place which has the potential to disturb these areas.
Loft conversions, re-roofing, building extensions, demolition and barn conversions are all activities which have the potential to disturb these areas and so LPA’s will ask for bat surveys to be completed prior to planning permission being granted.
Barn conversions will almost always require bat surveys prior to planning permission being granted as old farm barns are ideal habitat for roosting and feeding bats. Barns have many features which make them suitable such as old wooden beams with gaps and cracks around the joints slatted wooden walls, or thick brick walls. The countryside location of barns also makes them an ideal roosting spot for bats.
As mentioned earlier bats also roost in trees and can be found in cracks and deep fissures in the timber or closer to the surface underneath tree bark and in smaller cracks. As with buildings any action which has the potential to disturb or harm bats in trees will require a bat survey. Trees can be surveyed in different ways. Many companies will only survey trees from the ground to look for holes and cracks with roosting potential. This is an acceptable method, however climbing the tree can often allow the surveyor to discount small fissures which may look suitable from the ground but up close could not be used by bats. We are qualified to carry out aerial tree surveys and believe that this approach is more thorough, and can allow us to confirm or discount holes trees more accurately which will save the developer time and money.
Bats are most active during the spring and summer months and so this is the time that most bat surveys are carried out. Checks of buildings can be carried out during times of the year when bats are not active, however if signs of use by bats or features which could be used by bats are found then more survey work may have to be carried out at a time of year when bats are active. This can cause considerable delays to a project.
The best approach is to ensure surveys are completed as early as possible in your project planning. Ideally prior to lodging your planning application, this helps to keep the planners on side and will help to avoid any delays to your project and any negative impact on wildlife!
United Environmental Services are experienced in bat surveys and give ecological planning advice to a range of clients from householders to utilities companies.
Call us or get in touch via the contacts page on our website for advice and information and we will do our best to help
Tags: barn conversion, bat roost, bat survey, bats, bats in buildings, Cheshire, demolition, Essex, Lancashire, loft conversion, Manchester, North Wales, Oxfordshire, planning permission, Staffordshire, tree roost, tree survey
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Saturday, May 1st, 2010
United Environmental Services carry out surveys across Merseyside. The surveys which are carried out in Merseyside include great crested newt surveys, bat surveys, Phase 1 habitat surveys, breeding bird surveys, water vole surveys and a full range of environmental surveys. United Environmental Services also offer landscape design and garden design services in Merseyside and can provide the materials and implementation work if required. We have a team of experienced surveyors, landscape architects and ground workers who work to a high standard across Merseyside.
Bat Surveys in Merseyside
Bat surveys can be undertaken in Merseyside at most times of the year. Bats are most active in Merseyside during the spring and summer months. Bat activity surveys can only be carried out in Merseyside at these times of year. At other times of year it is possible to carry out bat scoping surveys of buildings, and bat scoping surveys of trees and other structures which may support roosting bats. If signs of use by bats or features which could support roosting bats are found, then it will be necessary to complete bat activity surveys during the spring or summer. In Merseyside many bat surveys are carried out on barns and farm buildings. This is in order to gain planning permission. Barn conversions are one of the most common causes of loss of bat habitat which is why local planning authorities insist on bat surveys prior to planning permission being granted. There are several species of bat which are resident in Merseyside. These include Noctule bat, common pipistrelle bat, soprano pipistrelle bat, Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat, Daubentons’ bat, Whiskered bat, Brandt’s’ bat. United Environmental Services use several pieces of high tech equipment to find bats during a bat survey. These include bat boxes which can detect the echolocation calls of bats and the Anabat system which detects bat echolocation calls and displays them visually on a PDA screen which makes recording of the bat calls and identification of the bat species much more accurate.
Great Crested Newt Surveys in Merseyside
Great crested newt surveys can be carried out in Merseyside during spring and early summer. Pond surveys for great crested newts are undertaken at a time of year when the great crested newt population returns to the pond to breed. Great crested newt pond surveys have to be carried out to strict guidelines and so the people undertaking them must be properly trained, licensed and experienced to carry out great crested newt pond surveys. Merseyside has many ponds and wet areas which are suitable for great crested newts. Any action which has the potential to disturb great crested newts or their habitats must be preceded by great crested newt surveys of the pond or area, to ensure that no great crested newts are disturbed. United Environmental Services have experienced and appropriately licensed staff that can carry out great crested newt surveys in Merseyside. At times of year when great crested newts are not in the ponds, other survey methods can be employed. The main technique used is the habitat suitability index which is an accepted method of assessing a habitat for its suitability for use by great crested newts.
Phase 1 Habitat surveys in Merseyside
Phase 1 habitat surveys can be carried out in Merseyside at any time of year however the optimum time of year to carry out habitat surveys is during the spring and summer months when a more complete range of Merseyside’s flora and fauna are active. Phase 1 habitat surveys are used to catalogue the different types of habitat which are found in a given area. The results of the phase 1 habitat survey can then be used to assess the impacts of a development on an area and if necessary to specify if any further survey work is required. An example of this would be if a badger sett was found inside or close to the development area then badger surveys would be recommended, similarly if an area of habitat was found which was suitable for use by breeding birds then potentially breeding bird surveys would have to be completed prior to the start of works. Merseyside has a variety of different habitat types which support a range of different species, from woodlands to urban areas. Phase 1 habitat surveys are usually required prior to the start of development work and can save time as any potential issues with protected species or protected habitats will be highlighted early in the development.
United Environmental Services are experienced in a wide range of ecological survey work, contact us for more information.
Tags: bat barn, Bat box, Bat Conservation Trust, bat roost, bat survey, bats, brown long eared bat, daubentons bats, european protected species licence, great crested newt, Merseyside, natterers bat, United Environmental Services, whiskered bats, wildlife legislation
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UES recently completed a bat and ecological scoping survey of a farm in Swindon. Our client has plans to demolish a number of buildings on site and convert other buildings for use as a hotel.
