BAT SURVEYS
Bats are the UK’s only true flying mammals, with 18 species recorded nationwide. They are highly adaptable, feeding on insects at night and using a variety of habitats such as woodland, grassland, watercourses, and hedgerows. Some species, like the common pipistrelle, are often found roosting in buildings, even in urban areas.
Bat populations have declined significantly over the last century due to habitat loss, changes in land use, and pressures from development. Because roost sites are essential for breeding, shelter, and hibernation, bats are particularly sensitive to disturbance.
All bat species are strictly protected under UK law, primarily through the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended). This makes it an offence to:
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kill, injure or handle a bat;
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damage, destroy, or obstruct a roost (whether bats are present or not);
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disturb bats in their roosts.
As a result, developments involving buildings, trees, hedgerows, or lighting often require specialist bat surveys and, where impacts are unavoidable, carefully designed mitigation or licensing measures.
At BL Ecology Ltd, we are fully compliant with all current legislation and best practice, including the latest UK Bat Mitigation Guidelines (2025). Our experienced ecologists provide robust surveys, practical mitigation solutions, and licensed support to ensure projects progress smoothly while safeguarding these protected species.
Bat surveys are often required to assess likely impacts a development may have on bat populations and in particular their roosting sites. These types of surveys are normally requested by the local planning authority however many developers are now instructing these surveys at an earlier stage to prevent delays in the future.
BL Ecology have extensive experience undertaking bat surveys, with licensed ecologists who can provide daytime scoping surveys (all year round) or full activity surveys (restricted to May-August) which will assess the presence or absence of bats and potential bat usage of the site. The findings will be issued in a full report which outlines the results and suggested mitigation if bats are present.
Finding Bats and Licensing
If bats are revealed during the survey this does not mean an end to a project! BL Ecology can work with clients to provide a design which will mean no or reduced impacts on bats. Where impacts are unavoidable we can apply for a licence with Natural England to disturb and remove any bat roost habitat safely. This licensed work will normally involve constructing replacement roosts and hand demolition of structures or trees.
Low Impact Licensing
BL Ecology has a registered consultant under the Low Impact Class Licence Scheme, therefore sites that meet certain criteria can be registered under this licence within a much quicker timeframe than a traditional licence. The Low Impact Class License covers ‘the disturbance and/or capture of bats and/or damage or destruction of bats roost/s of low conservation significance (i.e. feeding perches/roosts, day roosts and night roosts), affecting no more than three (3) of the more common species of bat present in small numbers’ (Natural England, 2014). Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.
Examples of our work with bats are provided within the Projects section. If you require a bat survey, advice or practical conservation services relating to bats please contact BL Ecology on 01274 816800 for advice and a quotation.
Habitat Management and Conservation
BL Habitats is an experienced conservation team who can provide practical services in line with recommendations from our ecology team. Examples include bat exclusions, tree planting and weatherproof, sustainable, long-lasting bat boxes to order.