Bat Surveys

There are 17 species of bats which breed in the UK of which many are rare and endangered. Many of our UK bat species populations are declining due to the destruction of habitat and foraging areas and therefore some bats are endangered. Bats hibernate in winter and females congregate in maternity roosts in summer. Their habitats are varied throughout the year and bats can hibernate or roost in old or new buildings, barns, bridges, stonework, under tiles, roof spaces, loose bark hollow trees etc. Bats and their roosts are now fully protected by UK and European Law and it is an offence to kill, capture, or disturb bats, or damage, destroy or obstruct access to their roosts. If a roost is to be affected by any development then a European protected species licence is required prior to development starting giving a detailed method statement setting out all activities to be carried out under licence. GLM Ecology can devise appropriate mitigation procedures, including design and inclusion of roost elements in new builds or renovated properties.

Garry Mortimer is an  experienced researcher and licenced handler of bats whose PhD concentrated on natterer's bats in commercial plantations. His survey experience includes identifying emergence, roosting and foraging activities, radio tracking and mitigation. Surveys carried out will include the use of  bat detectors and static recorders, such as, SM2s and analysis of that data. GLM Ecology can deliver bat surveys for a diverse range of potential scenarios including civil engineering, building conversions, wind farms, property development, tree surveys, roost identification etc. Mitigation and bat licence work in 2016/17 has centered on substantial demolition and renovation contracts with Brindleys Associates and Roberstons Group in Aberdeen. Over the past five years many Councils are requesting bat surveys for planning applications for extensions and demolition of existing buildings which previously were not required. 

In recent years from 2016 until present times in 2020 there has been a massive increase in legislation involving bat survey work and wind farms. The latest guidance from  SNH 2019 looks at static recording over the three seasons of spring, summer and autumn with discrete sampling periods in each season. GLM Ecology has 14 static recorders (SM2s and Anabat Swifts to cover all requirements. Data analysis is normally via Kalidiscope or Anabat Insight.