A Developer’s Guide: How to Apply for a Bat Licence?
How to Apply for a Bat Licence? If you require planning permission to make alterations to your home or property, it is possible that the local planning authority may require you to undertake bat surveys on your property before being … Read More
Guide to Brown Long-Eared Bat Mitigation
Brown Long-Eared Bats (Plecotus auritus) During building inspection work, ecologists often come across medium-sized, brownish droppings. On closer inspection, the droppings have a golden shine from the moth and butterfly wings they contain. This discovery is usually the first indication that … Read More
Guide to Bat Mitigation
Why Do I Need Mitigation? If the bat surveys undertaken for your development reveal that you have bats roosting or hibernating in your building, the next step is to do an impact assessment and set out a mitigation plan. The … Read More
Guide to Bat Mitigation for Crevice-Dwelling Bats
Introduction The term “crevice-dweller” is used to describe bat species that often utilise small crevices for roosting. Crevices can include natural features such as stone fissures, holes in trees and under loose bark. When found in buildings, crevices can be … Read More
Main Bat Survey Season Ends Soon
The bat survey season for activity surveys ends in mid-September. Nocturnal bat surveys involve surveyors observing a development site at dawn or dusk to watch for emerging or returning bats. The Bat Survey Guidelines recommend that surveys should be carried … Read More
Bat Diary: Find Out What Bats are Doing Throughout the Year
January Bats spend the majority of winter hibernating with a constant body temperature of between 0oC and 5oC. In order to achieve this state of inactivity, the bats must lower their body temperature (from around 40oC to 0oC), slow their … Read More
Breathable Roofing Membranes No Longer Accepted in Bat Roosts by Statutory Agencies
Research on bats and breathable membranes is being conducted by Stacey Waring at the University of Reading and the Bat Conservation Trust based upon the question ‘what constitutes a bat-friendly breathable roofing membrane?’ The research indicates that breathable roofing membranes … Read More
New Bat Survey Guidelines Published
The Bat Conservation Trust has recently published updated Bat Survey Good Practice Guidelines (2nd Edition) which develops upon the guidance specified in the first edition as well as including further information on the legislative protection afforded to bats as well … Read More