Bat surveys

[lim x]

The last time we needed a bat survey the ecologist had a walk round in daytime, looked for evidence of the bats and not having found anything wrote his report and a £200 fee, Job done.

Fast forward about 6 years, and last August I had a preliminary bat survey on an outbuilding that I wanted to change use and extend. That apparently not sufficient and as we were then out of season I've had to wait till May to try again. £800

Two more evening surveillance with video recording £800, has shown 1 long eared critter that flits through the building and out again to a nearby tree. It's not roosting in there but because it uses the building to fly through we've now got to either have a third survey and start the building around October, and add a new bat home into the plans that it most likely won't use!

Or see if planning is passed and if building work doesn't begin before next season (April) have another 3 surveys!

It's very frustrating as the earliest date if planning is passed in July, I'm unlikely to find a good builder who will be able to quote and start the work is going to take much longer, possibly a year or more around here.

Just wondering how anyone else has got on? Can't get the planning unless the surveys are in, but so restrictive timewise and costly!

Very frustrating!!

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Been out 3 times here , not had a bill yet

 

[wanton dwarf]

Jobs for the boys, gotta have those bills sent out to buy them flash cars, mobbies & puters.

 

[Old Boar]

Next door were having a survey to convert a barn. Bat person came along and looked for droppings and found none. Then he hung about until dusk, hoping to join in the drinking a bottle on a lovely summer evening. He suddenly pointed and said "you have lots of bats!"
I said they were house martins, which they were. He said Oh and went. We finished another bottle.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Ah this old chestnut. Money for old rope for sure.

Remember you don’t have to use that survey, a bit like weather reports it’s best to shop around sometimes till you get one you like.

There is nothing wrong with you doing maintenance to buildings, even if it alas makes them less bat friend, so long as you Don’t harm them.

I once had to build a garage with a special roof in wales because one bat was spotted in the area.

They have a huge following, I’m yet to work out, much like badgers, why they get such protection.

Remember they don’t much like draft or light spots, I found after a windy night when many of the tiles fell of an old wood shed, they didn’t seem to be like hanging out there as much.

 

[essexpete]

Jobs for the boys, gotta have those bills sent out to buy them flash cars, mobbies & puters.

The ecologists that I have met do not appear to be flash in anyway.

 

[TomD]

Licence to print money pay someone £300+ for an initial survey for them to say they need to come back and do a more I’m depth survey for £1200 can’t really do much else without using someone else and have to pay the initial £300+ survey cost again ….complete con

 

[tullah]

To beat these people at their money spinning game, the first item to deal with a year ahead of putting in a planning application is to get rid of the crits and any sign of their muck.
Bat repellant or battery powered sonic gadgets need to be placed throughout the property and a big cleanup operation undertaken.

 

[Kidds]

I don't understand why you can't just put a load of bat boxes up on every development and do away with the bat report.
Cheaper for the developer, none of this "you can't do it now it isn't bat season" and ultimately better for the bats too.

These ecology reports are just money for nothing and do nothing for anyone.
Can we move the porch 12"? Yes but you need another bat report first. What a load of bollox!

 

[steveR]

To beat these people at their money spinning game, the first item to deal with a year ahead of putting in a planning application is to get rid of the crits and any sign of their muck.
Bat repellant or battery powered sonic gadgets need to be placed throughout the property and a big cleanup operation undertaken.

A new roof on a building works wonders I am told......