How to Make Surveys Easy for Your Ecologist
When you need a bat survey for roofing, renovation or construction work, a smooth visit begins long before we arrive on site. A little preparation makes a big difference, and it helps us carry out an accurate, safe and efficient assessment. Here are four simple steps to make your surveys go as smoothly as possible:
1. Get in touch early
The earlier you contact us in your project, the better. Some surveys can take place at any time of year, while others have set seasonal windows. Early conversations allow us to plan to ensure your project stays on schedule. Even if your plans are still developing, an initial chat helps us understand what you need and when the work is likely to begin. You do not need final drawings or a confirmed start date to get in touch with us.
2. Switch off PIR lights before we arrive
If your property has motion-activated lighting, it’s important to turn it off before your surveys. These lights are useful for everyday access, but they can disrupt a survey. If lights switch on repeatedly while we are monitoring an area, they can affect bat behaviour and limit what we can accurately record.
Turning off these lights in advance helps create the right conditions for a clear and reliable survey.
3. Make sure access arrangements are in place
A straightforward step that can easily derail progress is making sure we can get in!
If your property has coded locks, electric gates or shared access routes, please confirm in advance that we have the correct information and that your staff (if applicable) know we are coming too. A short delay at a locked entrance can affect the timing of an evening survey, and with limited windows of suitable light and activity levels, we need to use every minute effectively. Clear access means we can begin promptly and focus entirely on your survey.
We have had to reschedule surveys due to preventable access problems, so this can cause delays!
4. Tell us about any health and safety concerns
Every site is unique. Some have uneven ground, limited lighting, steep slopes or other features we need to prepare for. Letting us know about these in advance helps us plan properly, bring the right equipment and keep the team safe. We will take into account the specifics of your site when creating our risk assessments, and have worked around farm machinery, asbestos, and uncovered manholes without incident!
Working together for a smooth survey
By getting in touch early, switching off PIR lights, arranging easy access and highlighting any health and safety concerns, you allow us to carry out our work efficiently and safely. These small steps help ensure that your survey is completed on time and with the level of detail you need.
If you are planning roofing or construction work and think you may need a bat survey, we are here to guide you through the process. You can reach out to our ecologists at any time.