Bat numbers have plummeted during the 20th Century for many reasons. One is tree surgery operations. Despite protection through legislation both bats and their roosts are still being lost.

This information aims to inform anyone involved in tree surgery how to recognise the signs of bats and of the best practice procedure should bats or evidence of bats be found. You can have an important part to play in bat conservation and help safeguard bats and roosts which otherwise may be lost.

Signs of bats

It can be difficult to detect the presence of bats in trees as they can be present in hollow trees, holes, under bark, amongst ivy and in splits or cracks. Often the same features that mean that a tree requires surgery can make it attractive to bats. It is important to seek expert advice if you find any of these features:

• Bat droppings close to any of the above features. These look like mouse droppings but crumble into a powder or fine grit.
• Scratch marks and staining around tree holes.
• Noisy roosts. Listen out for a high-pitched sound (like electrical crackling) coming from within a hole or the trunk of a tree.

For more information or help call English Nature on 01635 268881; The Bat Conservation Trust on 0207 627 2628; the North Bucks Bat Group on 01296 427972 or the Bat Helpline (for injured bats) 07963 969569.

If you find bats during work

If bats or their roosts are found, stop work immediately and contact English Nature on 01635 268881. If bats are injured call the Bat Helpline on 07963 969569. As bats and their roosts are protected, failure to take the appropriate action could result in prosecution. If in doubt, contact English Nature for advice.

The most obvious signs of bats are their droppings. Bat droppings look like those of mice, but crumble into a powder or fine grit. Other signs include staining and wearing around exit points of roosts.

For more information or help call English Nature on 01635 268881; The Bat Conservation Trust on 0207 627 2628; the North Bucks Bat Group on 01296 427972 or the Bat Helpline (for injured bats) 07963 969569.

Tree surgery

If bats are found in a tree or branch after it has been felled it is not too late to save the bats. Gather any bats that have fallen out of the cavity and put them into a dark confined space such as a cardboard box and contact English Nature immediately. If bats are found in a cavity within a felled section, cover the section and put it to one side and contact English Nature immediately.

As bats and their roosts are protected, failure to take the appropriate action could result in prosecution. If in doubt, contact English Nature for advice.

For more information or help call English Nature on 01635 268881; The Bat Conservation Trust on 0207 627 2628; the North Bucks Bat Group on 01296 427972 or the Bat Helpline (for injured bats) 07963 969569.

Windows

Droppings may be found stuck on windows or windowsills. Droppings indicate a nearby roost that may have an entry point above the window or in the gap between the window frame and the wall.

For more information or help call English Nature on 01635 268881; The Bat Conservation Trust on 0207 627 2628; the North Bucks Bat Group on 01296 427972 or the Bat Helpline (for injured bats) 07963 969569.

Soffits

Bats are often found in the soffits of buildings of all ages. Look for droppings on the walls of the building, windowsills, within the soffits or small gaps between them. Areas of smoothing or staining on the wall may indicate a roost exit point. They can be found at any point but are particularly likely to be found at the highest point of the gable end.

To encourage bats, you can help bats by leaving a small gap (25mm wide by 15mm deep) between the soffit and the wall.

For more information or help call English Nature on 01635 268881; The Bat Conservation Trust on 0207 627 2628; the North Bucks Bat Group on 01296 427972 or the Bat Helpline (for injured bats) 07963 969569.

Roofing works

• Lifted flashing around chimneystacks may indicate a roost exit point, in which case this must not be blocked.
• You can help bats by leaving a small gap (25 mm wide by 15mm high) around the chimney flashing after works are finished.
• The ridge tile is another favoured spot. Look for droppings and staining or smoothing around ventilation slits.
• Look out for bat droppings between the tiles and the underfelt, and listen out for the high-pitched electrical crackling sounds (social squabbling) that large roosts often make.
• Look for droppings within the loft space, often concentrated beneath the ridge beam.

For more information or help call English Nature on 01635 268881; The Bat Conservation Trust on 0207 627 2628; the North Bucks Bat Group on 01296 427972 or the Bat Helpline (for injured bats) 07963 969569.

Date Published: 28/03/08