How to Check Your Bat Surveyors Credentials
This is blog adapted from a 2014 article on David’s Bat Blog which you can read here.
We are frequently asked to help our clients resolve problems caused by sub-standard bat surveys. Sadly, as with many industries, it can be tricky to establish the bona fides of someone marketing their bat surveying services. Our founder, David Dodds, has some advice for spotting potential red flags from ecologist and ecology companies, and what to look for instead…
🚩 The Well Meaning Amateur
This is often a contact who knows about bats and has a bat detector (or two). They will have nothing but good intentions, but be unaware of the BCT Bat Survey Guidelines (which all bat surveys must comply with) and lack the experience to interpret what they find. Their reports are unlikely to provide the information a Local Planning Authority requires, and will be rejected as a result.
What to look for instead: An ecologist or company with a proven track record of delivering bat surveys according to the Bat Survey Guidelines and accepted reports submitted to Local Planning Authorities.
🚩The Overworked Junior Ecologist
Professional ecology is bottom heavy, meaning junior ecologists are often sent out to complete surveys before they have the experience they need. As a result key information can be omitted from the data, and the senior ecologists can take the incomplete data and write a professional report, with advice and recommendations for next steps. This causes problems when an unreported bat roost is discovered part way through the project, meaning delays, unexpected costs, and scrabbling to work out what needs to happen next.
What to look for instead: An ecology company who invests in training junior members of the team, and only runs bat surveys with appropriately experienced staff acting as the lead surveyor.
🚩The Cowboy Ecologist
Sadly, these exist in professional ecology too. Corners cut, jobs half done, or invented survey results (which we have unfortunately seen happen). These ecologists may sound too good to be true, and will likely vanish if there is a problem or a bat roost is found on site down the line. This can mean finding a new ecologist at the 11th hour alongside a halted project and the associated costs.
What to look for instead: An ecology company with reviews, recommendations, and a track record of delivering for their clients - particularly where their clients have had bats on site that have required appropriate licensing and mitigation.
🚩The One-Man Band
Bat surveys are a team effort. They require several surveyors co-ordinating their efforts and experience to paint a picture of your property. Many freelance ecologists work within their limits to deliver excellent ecological services, but sometimes we see a report with bat activity (or stage 2) surveys completed by one person. This results in missing information, and as a result a report that doesn’t necessarily reflect the situation on the ground.
What to look for instead: An ecology company with a trained, dedicated survey team supported by senior ecologists.
🚩Something Entirely Outside of the Norm
Something completely unexpected occasionally crosses our desks from our clients looking to remedy an unsuccessful application with another company. From creative survey methodologies, to incorrect maps, to unqualified companies, we’ve seen all sorts. This is usually a company going outside of their usual scope to help a client, but unintentionally costing them time, money and effort to get back on track. If adding a bat survey to their list of services seems surprising, it’s worth asking a few more questions before you commit.
What to look for instead: A local bat specialist. Bats vary across the UK, and even within Scotland, and bat surveys are a specialist area of ecology within the industry. Where possible, find a company or person who has several years under their belt!
What about Bat Survey Scotland?
Bat Survey Scotland was established by David Dodds Associates Ltd (DDAL) as a resource for the general public, helping you navigate every step of bat surveys with ease. DDAL have over 18 years’ experience and deliver 100s of bat surveys every year across Scotland. We have a dedicated team of surveyors, well supported and trained ecologists with a comprehensive list of personal licences, and work diligently to maintain our 100% rate of accepted reports.
If you would like our help with your proposed building or development work, you can speak to our ecologists here.
If you need a bat survey (or think you might) get in touch with our team of specialist ecologists!
Or read more of our latest blogs:
