Protected Species | Bats

At Peak Ecology we have an in-house team of licensed bat ecologists with extensive experience of assessing, surveying and monitoring habitats, structures and trees for bats. We are also able to provide comprehensive guidance on bat mitigation and enhancement works, as well as assist in development licence applications. 

Based in the Peak District National Park, Peak Ecology Ltd has a strong project base within Derbyshire and the East Midlands as well as undertaking projects across the country, including Scotland and Wales. We complete a large variety of projects from small-scale extensions or renovation works of a single property to large-scale, multi building complexes, bridges and railway tunnels.

Protection and Ecology

Bats generally have very specific roosting requirements, which vary from one species to another. Many of our British species have adapted to living in urban areas and are often found roosting in churches, houses and other structures. Other species favour trees, choosing to roost in features including woodpecker holes, cracks, rot holes and behind lifted bark. Bats also need different types of roosts depending on their purpose and time of year; these may include maternity, mating, hibernation, feeding and transitional roosts.

Most of our bat species prefer not to travel too far from their roost and therefore local, quality habitat with good connectivity to the wider landscape is also an important aspect, providing the necessary insect prey and suitable commuting routes.

There are currently known to be 17 resident species of bat in the UK, though several European vagrants are also occasionally recorded, particularly in the southernmost counties. All species of bats and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Conservation Act (1981) (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). Legislation prohibits the injuring, killing and disturbing of bats and the protection of roost sites.

Services

  • Preliminary Bat Roost Assessments (trees and structures)
  • Aerial tree assessments
  • Nocturnal bat activity surveys (dawn re-entry surveys and dusk emergence surveys)
  • Transect and static monitoring surveys (including walked, driven and boat-based surveys)
  • Mitigation and habitat management advice
  • Method Statement production
  • Bat Mitigation Class Licence applications (BMCL)
  • European Protected Species (EPS) Licence applications
  • Bat mitigation post-monitoring surveys
  • Bat dropping DNA analysis
  • Hibernation surveys (including caves)
  • Bat sound analysis
  • Wind farm & other renewable energy-based studies
  • Landscape scale radio-tracking studies

Tree Climbing

We also have an in-house team of experienced bat licensed tree climbers; facilitating detailed inspections of potential bat roosting features previously identified from a ground-based assessment. This enables us to confirm if the features are suitable for bat roosting and to inform any follow-on works. Tree climbing frequently allows us to rule out trees as bat roosts, eliminating the need for follow-up surveys, reducing both the overall costs and timing delays.

If you are interested in any of our services, don’t hesitate to contact us >>