Bat Surveys

Bat surveys take a range of forms including initial Preliminary Roost Assessments (PRA), carried out to assess the potential of a site to support bats, activity surveys to accurately identify the presence or absence of roosting bats and Night-time Bat Walkover (NBW) surveys and static monitoring, to identify the bat activity present on site.

PRA can be carried out at any time of year and include a thorough inspection of the buildings or trees on site to look for roosting opportunities or bat field signs. The surveys are carried out during the daytime and are typically supported by an existing records search carried out with the local ecological records centre.

Bat activity surveys must be carried out during the peak active season for bats, which is May to August. The surveys are typically carried out at dusk, or sometimes dawn, by sufficient surveyors and Night Vision Aids (NVA) to cover the areas of potential around the buildng/tree. Following the survey recordings are analysed allowing an accurate assessment of the bat activity present and identifying the location and access points for any roosts.

Tree surveys can be complex and may require surveys throughout the year using different techniques, from aerial assessments to activity surveys. Ground level PRA of trees should ideally be carried out during the winter when there is no foliage present.

NBW surveys require a route around the site to be walked after dusk recording bat activity. The NBW will be supported by static monitoring carried out at several locations around the site for a period of at least five nights. Surveys are required throughout the active season building up a picture of the bat activity on the site.

Switch Ecology have over 20 years experience carrying out bat surveys and our surveyors are licenced to carry out surveys throughout the UK and qualified in tree climbing, allowing aerial assessments to be carried out. We also have a wide range of Night Vision Aids (NVA) and other equipment to ensure that our activity surveys are able to fully assess the bats present on site and how bats utilise the surrounding area.