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The Lifecycle of Bats

Most bats are colonial and roost in groups or singly in trees, buildings, caves, mines and other structures. Many different sites are used at different times of the year. These can be within the same building/structure or several kilometres apart. The hibernate during winter months to conserve energy. Roost damage or disturbance to bats might affect their survival because they cannot replenish the energy used in "waking up".

In late spring females gather together at a meternity roost to give birth. Damage/disturbance to roosting colonies at this time will also have significant adverse effects on the bat population for that area (especially if it causes the mothers to abandon the roost; the babies will die). By the end of the summer these maternity roots are generally vacated, with the mother and juveniles finding alternative roosting places.

Bats tend to be faithful to their roosts, and return year after year to both summer and winter roosts; this is why roost sites are protected even if the bats are not there at the time. All roosts are important, and disturbance of bats in their winter or maternity roosts is particularly devastating to the bat population for that area. Bats are found not only on old buildings, trees and rural areas - they regularly roost in the new structures in urban areas.

If you require a UK Bat Survey for a Planning Application contact Peter Arnott on (01759) 372779

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