Roost Assessments – Preliminary roost assessments or scoping bat surveys is the initial phase of any bat survey process. An experienced member of our team will undertake an initial site visit during daylight hours to assess the building/tree/feature for its potential to support roosting bats. Unlike activity bat surveys, roost assessments can be undertaken all year round. Emergence/re-entry survey – If the preliminary roost assessment identified the building/tree/feature to have bat roosting potential, up to three emergence/re-entry surveys are required to identify and classify any roosts which may be present. These surveys can be undertaken between May and August (core bat survey season), and in some cases, into September for the final survey. Bat Activity Survey – Bat activity surveys are used to assess the foraging and commuting activity levels of bats using the site. This involves experienced ecologist walking a set transect route around/through the site recoding bat activity. This survey is used in combination with static bat survey where bat detectors are left onsite for 5 consecutive nights, usually monthly, to record bat activity throughout the night. Activity and static surveys are usually undertaken monthly between April and October. Bat Mitigation & Strategy – If a bat roost is identified on the site, a bat mitigation strategy and licence from Natural England will be required to allow the works to proceed legally. Working with the design team, a mitigation strategy will be developed to either retain the bats onsite or provide suitable mitigation, compensation and enhancements. Forging and commuting bats will also need to be considered in any designs. Potential roost and internal building surveys can be carried out throughout the year. The inspection of hibernation roosts is viable between November-March inclusive.