Overview

In addition to a wide range of project work, BSG Ecology staff provide industry-standard peer training and the company regularly undertakes bat-related research. We have experience with some of the UK’s rarest bats, including Bechstein’s bat, barbastelle, greater and lesser horseshoe bats, and Nathusius’ pipistrelle. Our staff have provided editorial advice and written input to industry survey guidance and UK Bat Mitigation Guidelines.

Bat Survey Capability

Many of our staff hold survey licences, including licenses to handle bats and use endoscopes to survey roosts. In addition, some have specialist licences for advanced survey techniques (including the use of mist nets, harp traps and acoustic lures).

Currently, four members of staff are accepted on to the Bat Earned Recognition (BER) scheme. A key aim of BER is to streamline the licencing process and acceptance on the BER scheme requires candidates to demonstrate a high level of competence in survey work, mitigation design and bat ecology. We also have three consultants who are registered to use Natural England Bat Mitigation Bat Class Licences (BMCL) at registered sites.

BSG Ecology has a team of ecologists that are qualified to climb trees using ropes to inspect potential roost features in trees.

Survey capability

• Building surveys: preliminary appraisal and more detailed assessment for bats (including inspection of roof spaces, surveys to record bats emerging from roosts, use of thermal imaging and infra-red equipment, and collection of droppings for DNA analysis for species confirmation);
• Activity surveys: walked transect surveys and remote survey using automated static bat detectors;

• Tree surveys: preliminary ground-based assessment and climbing surveys to allow potential roost feature inspection;
• Survey and assessment of underground sites/tunnels for hibernating bats;
• Call analysis using specialist software;
• Advanced survey techniques: Trapping survey to establish presence of certain species; radio tracking studies to establish habitat preferences and ranging behaviour.

Bat Consultancy Services

• Preliminary appraisal of a site’s likely bat-sensitivity based on location, habitat features and desk-study information;
• Advice on the implications of legal protection afforded to bats and how key terms in legislation or guidance (such as favourable conservation status) may be interpreted;
• Licensing: including the preparation of licence applications and supervision of their implementation, and guidance on different licensing options (including BER/BMCL);
• Impact Assessment: expert advice, preparation of Environmental Statement ecology chapters (EIA) and technical reports for planning applications;
• Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) advice in relation to Special Areas of Conservation designated for their bat interest;
• Stakeholder liaison and negotiation (including statutory and non-statutory consultees);
• Bat mitigation design: bat-friendly buildings, creation of new roosts, habitat management for bats, including tree management and habitat enhancement.
• Expert witness advice for Public Inquiry;
• The design and implementation of post-construction monitoring for developments, including wind farms.

Further Services