When decay sets into the heartwood of a trees or the tree is damaged during strong winds, the holes and gaps that are formed become potential roost features that could support roosting bats. These features are usually holes within the trunk or limbs of tree and other features include peeling bark.
Projects which have trees on the proposed development site may require specific bat surveys. A ground level roost assessment is required to identify if and which trees have potential roost features. Assessing the presence or absence of bats within a potential roost feature can be undertaken with traditional roost surveys (dusk/dawn surveys); however, these are often time consuming and therefore expensive to a client. Furthermore trading roost surveys are restricted to the active season (April-October) and therefore have the potential to relay a planning application.
Aerial Tree Inspections involve a qualified tree climber ascending a tree and inspecting the potential roost feature with an endoscope. This method provides an accurate assessment of the potential roost features. Trees can be climbed throughout the year and therefore reduce the potential of costly time delays to a planning application or a project schedule.
FALCO Ecology has a fully qualified tree climber having undertaken a CS38 City & Guides NPTC Level 2 Award in Tree Climbing & Rescue. Ad who holds appropriate inspection licences to undertake bat surveys of holes in trees. We work in partnership with local (where possible) qualified tree climbers to reduce cost of surveys and our Carbon Footprint.
