New BS8596 for Bat Surveying

The new British Standard BS8596 will cover the surveying of trees and woodland for bats and is expected to come into effect this year. This is Specific to woodlands only. It will provide guidance to all land-based industries to standardise how trees and woodlands should be surveyed for bats and their roosts, and how bat habitats should be assessed (when this is appropriate), prior to tree work being undertaken.

The potential impact to bats from work proposed will drive the level of survey effort required. The Principe content will cover:

1. BAT ROOST ASSESSMENT
   1. Preliminary scoping surveys to establish the presence (or otherwise) of potential roost features (PRFs)
   2. Secondary (non-specialist) aerial assessments if PRFs identified
   3. Bat specialist assessment if PRFs not ruled out
   4. BCT categorisation system to be adopted 1* – 3
2. HABITAT ASSESSMENT – GROUPS AND WOODLANDS
   1. Assessment of wider habitat for roosting potential
   2. Assessment of wider habitat for foraging potential
   3. Assessment of wider habitat for commuting potential
3. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
   1. Action to be taken if a tree posing an unacceptable risk from structural failure is, or appears likely to be, a bat roost and there is insufficient time to apply for a European protected species (EPS) licence.
   2. Action to be taken if a bat or bat roost is discovered during tree work operations
   3. Action to be taken if bats found on ground during or after tree work operations
4. RECORD KEEPING / REPORT WRITING
   1. Recommendation to record that pre-work bat roost assessments have been undertaken. Simple tick-box exercise should suffice in most cases.
   2. More detailed records required if bat roosts seen or suspected, or if a licence application is to be made
5. DEVELOPMENT SITES
   1. Bats are a material consideration
   2. Qualified ecologist required at design stage if there is potential for bats to be damaged or disturbed by proposed work.
   3. If bats are using trees the ecologist should liaise closely with the project arboriculturist as required