Posts Tagged ‘brown long eared bat’

Bat and ecological scoping survey in Swindon

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.

Bat scoping survey in Lancashire

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.

Bats and badgers in Buckinghamshire

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.

Bat survey in Cranage, Cheshire

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.

UES volunteer for the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT)

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.

United Environmental Services at Bioblitz, Norton Priory, Near Runcorn Cheshire

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

Article on the Handling and Veterinary Care of British Bats

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

Surveys in Merseyside

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.

UES prepare for another busy year of protected species surveys

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Well it’s been a long cold winter and we’ve all had a good rest but spring is just around the corner and we are gearing up for another busy year.  Here are a few of the projects we are currently working on.

Cheshire: bats and great crested newts

We are currently in the planning stages of a large project in Wilmslow, Cheshire. The plans involve bat surveys (some of which we did last year), European protected species licensing, the planning and construction of a large bat barn prior to the start of development. Brown long eared bats, pipistrelles and myotis species were found during the bat surveys so the barn will be designed with these species in mind. The roost which is in place is currently being monitored using an anabat remote bat detector and several dataloggers to record temperature and humidity data. Whiskered bats and Brandt’s bats are present at the bat barns which were built for Manchester airport, only a few miles away. The project also requires great crested newt surveys on ponds in and around the site footprint. If great crested newts are found then a mitigation plan will have to be designed and an EPS licence application submitted to Natural England.

Merseyside: bats, great crested newts, water vole, barn owls

A golf course development on Merseyside which United Environmental Services were involved in last year still has work to be done as a condition of the licence. This will involve de-silting the ponds to improve their quality for great crested newts, and amphibians in general. The fitting of a large number of  bat boxes around the site. The fitting of a number of bird boxes. Management of the woodlands. Management of the watercourse which has water voles resident. As a result of the great crested newt trapping scheme last year the on site ponds must also be monitored for the next 5 years.

Cambridgeshire: great crested newts, bats, reptiles and red kites

We also have great crested newt monitoring contracts at a site in Cambridgeshire not far from Stamford in Lincolnshire. The site was trapped out in 2008 and over 500 great crested newts relocated to new ponds. The site is rich in many species of wildlife and sits next to a SSSI woodland. Red kites are nesting close to the site and can often be seen hunting close by. Several species of reptiles were found during the trapping including, grass snake, slow worm and common lizard.

Staffordshire: bat monitoring

Bat monitoring is ongoing  at the site of a former mill in Tunstall near Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire after a small number of pipistrelle bats were found to be using one of the buildings prior to demolition. Monitoring work will carry on until the new buildings have been built with replacement bat roosts built into the fabric of the buildings.

Installing Bat Hibernation Boxes in Cheshire

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Bat Hibernation boxes are fitted high in trees and this one was no exception.This mature beech tree was chosen because of its size location and stability.  Ropes were set up by Mike in order to climb the tree and then a small pulley was placed above the planned position of the hibernation box. Stewart then climbed the tree using the ropes. The pulley was tested for safety and then the bracket was nailed into position. The hibernation box which weighs 30kg was then hoisted up by Mike and Toby and hung in its final position roughly eight metres above the ground.

We hope to find noctule bats using this box next year as they were observed feeding very close by during a survey last summer. Soprano pipistrelles and Brown long eared bats were also recorded at the time and pipistrelles may well use the box when they find it. It is always a good approach to install extra bat roosts around any development even if no bats are to be affected by it. This can help all species of bats as they require many different roosts at different times of the year.

We also fitted hibernation boxes into the walls of the extension. And fitted bat access tiles into the new roof to allow access to the void beneath the tiles for crevice dwelling bats such as pipistrelles.

Stewart.