Bat Surveys Across Scotland

David Dodds Associates has a dedicated team based in Scotland providing bat surveys throughout the country.

Contact us today for your no-obligation quote!

Carrying out Professional And Effective Bat Surveys Across Scotland For Over 17 Years.

Bat survey at a building in Scotland. The building is an old, overgrown house in a Georgian style.

What is a Bat Survey?

If you are planning to build a new development, or renovating, converting or modifying an existing building, you may need to undertake a bat survey.

A bat survey will check for the presence of bats within the building or immediate vicinity (eg trees or outbuildings) and should be undertaken if there is a likelihood that bats are present. It is often needed to obtain planning consent.

Pipistrelle bat on a wall.

Planning Ahead with a Bat Survey

Bats are legally protected s and if you are planning works in existing buildings or new builds, consider that bats hibernate during winter periods and are highly active in the summer months, which is when professional ecologists are at their busiest.

If you are planning work that may require a bat survey it is highly advisable to reach out to us well in advance to allow us to plan your survey and help expedite your planning consent.

Bats held in the hand at a bat survey in Scotland.

Bats in Buildings

Some handy resources to help you identify if you have bats roosting in your property, and what to do if you do.

Should I worry about bats in my property?

Not really. Unlike other species like mice or rats, bats in the UK do very little property damage. Occasionally a large colony may become a nuisance, due to noise or smell and help is available in Scotland from NatureScot (see below).

Note that excluding a bat colony without a license from NatureScot is a criminal offence.

The Bat Conservation Trust is a great place to go for information about bat conservation and how you can get involved in helping to conserve these fascinating and threatened creatures.

Visit bats.org.uk

Bat leaving roost on a bat survey in Scotland.

Contact our team of ecologists

If you have any questions about bats or other protected species, what to do about organising a survey, or need general information, we welcome your inquiry.

What Our Clients Say

  • Having worked with David Dodds Associates for a number of years, the service received is excellent and always provides expert ecological advice.

    • Lynne McNeely, Carneil Homes Ltd, Kinross

  • “Montgomery Forgan Associates has worked with David for many years on planning projects for mutual clients. David's work is first class, always delivered on time and is keenly priced. David has a wealth of knowledge on all ecological matters, with a highly valued specialism in bat surveys. Montgomery Forgan Associates would have no hesitation in recommending David to its clients.”

    • David Queripel, Montgomery Forgan Associates, Cupar

  • “We have found David Dodds very helpful in providing us with bat surveys and mitigation proposals.”

    • Niall Braidwood, Ogilvy Chalmers, Haddington

  • “Thank you for your help in doing the survey, and the speed of your response. Charlotte seemed very knowledgable. She was very helpful and happy to respond to our questions! Your report gave us all the answers we needed.”

    • Chris Gunstone, Tyninghame Village Hall Committee, East Lothian

  • “We have worked with David and his team in many projects and he is a real expert in the field. From enquiry, to survey, to receiving the report, they are always professional and provide a high quality service.”

    • Arancha Arnal, Blyth and Bluth Consulting Engineers, Edinburgh

  • “Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has used David Dodds Associates and their services for projects that required their extensive and specialist expertise. David has not only assisted in a prompt and professional manner he also provided a welcomed insight into the world of bat protection, articulating how best to approach situations to ensure SRUC deliver projects whilst the species, environment and landscape remain protected.”

    • Leeanne Price, S.R.U.C., Penicuik

  • “David has routinely provided timely, proactive and helpful advice to assist and enable building fabric projects to progress in a compliant manner and remains my first point of contact for any ecological requirements”.

    • Craig Mattocks, Cademuir Building Consultants, Peebles