Bats

Bat Surveys

Bats and their roosts are fully protected under UK and European legislation and are classified as European Protected Species (EPS). It is a criminal offence to deliberately or recklessly disturb, injure, capture, or kill a bat, or to damage, obstruct, alter, or destroy a bat roost. Importantly, a roost remains legally protected whether or not bats are present at the time.

Our team includes several NatureScot-licensed bat specialists. These licences allow the disturbance of bats within roosts, the handling of bats, the use of hand nets, and the survey of hibernation sites. Some team members are also licensed to use harp traps, mist nets, and acoustic lures.

All survey work is guided by the Bat Conservation Trust’s Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (4th Edition), ensuring our methods remain robust, proportionate, and compliant with current best practice.  To download a non-printable PDF from the BCT website click here.

Our Bat Services

Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)

The first stage of a building assessment, involving internal and external inspection for evidence of bats and features with roosting potential.  PRAs can be completed year-round, and structures are categorised as having negligible, low, moderate, or high suitability for roosting bats.

Hibernation Assessments

Where a structure is considered suitable for hibernation, automated detectors are deployed between November and March. Detailed internal and external inspections are also undertaken in January and February, when bats are most likely to be present within hibernacula.

Ground-Level Tree Assessments

An initial survey of trees from ground level to identify potential roosting features. These surveys can be undertaken at any time of year but are most effective when trees are not in leaf. Trees are classified as having negligible suitability or requiring further assessment.

Tree Potential Roost Feature (PRF) Inspections

Where further investigation is required, detailed inspections are carried out using high-powered torches and endoscopes. Access may involve ladders, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms, or tree climbing. Our team includes trained tree climbers and aerial rescue personnel. Following inspection, a suitability level is assigned and recommendations made regarding any additional survey requirements.

Emergence Surveys

For buildings or trees assessed as having roosting potential, dusk surveys are undertaken between May and September. Using Night Vision Aids such as infra-red and thermal imaging cameras, we record bats emerging from roosts. The number of surveys required depends on the level of suitability identified during the PRA.

Activity Transects

We design and undertake walked and driven transects to assess bat activity across sites, including large-scale developments such as proposed wind farms.

Remote Monitoring

Full-spectrum remote detectors are deployed to record bat activity over extended periods within buildings or across field sites.

DNA Dropping Analysis

Where required, bat droppings can be collected and submitted for DNA analysis to confirm species identification.

Licensing, Mitigation and Compensation

If a bat roost is identified and proposed works are likely to impact bats or their roosts, a European Protected Species (EPS) licence from NatureScot will be required to lawfully proceed. Mitigation and/or compensation measures are typically necessary.

Echoes Ecology has extensive experience preparing Species Protection Plans (SPPs) to support licence applications. We have developed a strong track record in designing and delivering effective mitigation and compensation strategies that are practical, proportionate, and compliant with legislation.