OLD STABLE BLOCK, RATHO PARK GOLF CLUB BAT SURVEY REPORT

Transcription

1 OLD STABLE BLOCK, RATHO PARK GOLF CLUB BAT SURVEY REPORT David Dodds Associates Ltd Ecological consultancy

2 CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Summary 3. Legal protection 3.1 Protection of bats under Scots and European law 3.2 Possible offences 3.3 Avoiding committing an offence 3.4 Licensing 3.5 Disclaimer 4. Bat species in Scotland 5. Survey methods 5.1 Desk study 5.2 Stage 1 bat survey 5.3 Sunset bat emergence surveys 5.4 Dawn bat return surveys 5.5 Survey limitations 6. Results 6.1 Desk study 6.2 Stage 1 bat survey st Sunset bat emergence survey st Dawn bat return survey nd Sunset bat emergence survey nd Dawn bat return survey 6.7 Photographs 7. Discussion and conclusions 8. Recommendations Appendix I Site location map Appendix II Satellite photograph of site David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stablse Bat Survey Report Page 2

3 1. INTRODUCTION The subject buildings comprise a set of disused stables and associated buildings within the grounds of Ratho Park Golf Club. The club propose to sell the buildings for possible residential development. As there is known to be a bat colony present in the buildings and to satisfy planning requirements the club commissioned the author to carry out bat surveys on their behalf. This report describes the surveys, together with conclusions and recommendations. Further information may be obtained from the author: David Dodds, MA MSc Director (S.N.H. Bat roost conservation, scientific and training licence 12729) David Dodds Associates Ltd, Easter Mosshat, Mosshat Road, Woolfords EH55 8LL david@daviddoddsassociates.com Report version 1.1 Changes Minor update to section 3 Issue date 16 July 2013 David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stablse Bat Survey Report Page 3

4 2. SUMMARY Approximately Soprano Pipistrelles (probably males) were found to be roosting under slates in ten locations around the buildings. Approximately 35 Brown Long-eared Bats (adult females rearing young) were found to be roosting in a maternity colony in the attic above the office. These animals accessed their roost via a variety of holes in the roof and walls of the office and barn. Approximately 5 further Brown Long-eared Bats (probably males) were found to be roosting individually in attic spaces above the stables and coach-house. The necessary roof repairs will disturb all of the bat roosts and it will be necessary to obtain an SNH derogation license before proceeding with this work. Failure to do so is likely to constitute a criminal offence. Recommendations are made in this report regarding a license application and appropriate methods to be used under license. Proposals to convert the buildings into domestic housing could also impact on the Brown Long-eared Bat maternity colony. This report recommends methods by which disturbance could be limited to an acceptable level and ensure continued ecological functionality of the roost, removing the need for a derogation license. Proceeding with conversion of the property without following this advice is likely to constitute a criminal offence. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stablse Bat Survey Report Page 4

5 3. LEGAL PROTECTION 3.1 Protection of bats under Scots and European law All bat species were designated as European Protected Species (EPS) by Article 12 of The European Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC (1992). This was enshrined in Scots Law by The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations (1994). 3.2 Possible offences The following actions constitute criminal offences: 1. Capturing or killing bats. This is an absolute offence there is no need for the prosecution to demonstrate an intention to commit the offence to secure conviction. 2. Harassing bats. 3. Disturbing bats: a. Affecting their ability to survive, breed or rear young. b. Affecting their local distribution or abundance. c. Whilst rearing or caring for their young. d. Whilst occupying a structure or place used for shelter or protection. 4. Obstructing bats from accessing a breeding site or resting place. 5. Damaging or destroying a breeding site or resting place used by bats. 6. Possessing any live bat, dead bat or part of a dead bat. In addition, the following are also offences: 7. Attempting to commit one of the above offences 8. Knowingly causing or permitting someone else to commit one of the above offences. Maximum fines for committing one of the above offences are 5,000 per animal. 3.3 Avoiding committing an offence Most of these offences (excluding 1) can be committed recklessly as well as deliberately, meaning that ignorance of the presence of bats is not a defence: you are expected to do all you can to find out whether bats (or other protected species) are present and whether you are at risk of committing an offence. In practice this means instructing a consultant ecologist to carry out surveys and taking account of their professional advice. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stablse Bat Survey Report Page 5

6 3.4 Licensing In certain circumstances a Scottish Government derogation license may be obtained, permitting an offence to be committed without prosecution. For a license to be issued, three legal tests must be met: 1. The reason for committing the offence must fall within certain narrow parameters, including: a. The proposal is in the public interest, e.g. the construction of a school or community centre. b. The proposal is necessary on grounds of safety. c. The proposal is necessary to safeguard property. d. The proposal is necessary to safeguard livestock. 2. All reasonable alternatives must have been considered. 3. The favourable conservation status of the bat species must be undiminished. This usually requires a mitigating work programme to minimise disturbance/harm and usually compensation measures (often wrongly referred to as mitigation), to ensure the bats are not disadvantaged, e.g. the creation of a replacement roost. Applications for derogation licenses can take up to 8 weeks to be processed and often require strict timetables for action. Early action can therefore reduce delays caused by licensing, mitigation and compensation. 3.5 Disclaimer The author of this report is not a lawyer and cannot offer a legal opinion. It is strongly recommended that legal advice be sought before taking any action which might expose you to a risk of prosecution. The author can recommend a specialist environmental lawyer. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stablse Bat Survey Report Page 6

7 4. BAT SPECIES IN SCOTLAND Eight bat species are known to be found in Central Scotland (although three are infrequent) and were therefore considered in these surveys: Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) is the most frequently encountered species in Central Scotland. They roost mostly in modern buildings, but occasionally in trees or other crevices. They range up to 4km from their roosts, using hedgerows and woodland edges to provide commuting routes to foraging sites and eat small flying insects and midges, with an affinity for habitats with a riparian element. Fig. 1 - Soprano Pipistrelle Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) is less common in Scotland than further south, but still frequently encountered. Its habits are very similar to the Soprano Pipistrelle, but uses more generalised habitats. Nathusius Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) is one of Britain s rarest bat species, with only a handful of records in Scotland. They tend to roost in tree-holes or buildings and are most commonly associated with large water bodies, such as reservoirs. Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) is a relatively common, but rarely seen woodland bat. Primarily gleaners, they pick larger insects and arachnids off shrubs and trees, mostly in dense woodland. They roost in hollow trees or in the roof spaces of older buildings or barns, always very close to woodland. Natterer s Bat (Myotis nattereri) is primarily a woodland bat, catching insects in flight and occasionally gleaned from trees and shrubs, though they also forage low over pasture. They most commonly roost in hollow trees, occasionally also in buildings near to woodland. Fig. 2 Brown Long-eared Bat David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stablse Bat Survey Report Page 7

8 Whiskered Bat (Myotis mystacinus) is known in Central Scotland from a small number of records, though it is easily confused with Natterer s Bat and may be under-recorded. They forage in a variety of habitats, including hedgerows, woodland and parkland. They roost in old stone buildings, and in tree crevices. Daubenton s Bat (Myotis daubentonii) forages almost exclusively over water, eating insects and other arthropods gaffed from the water surface or caught in flight just above it. Their roosts tend to be close to water, usually in hollow trees or cavities in bridges or other waterside structures. Fig. 3 Cluster of Daubenton s Bats Noctule (Nyctalus noctula) is the largest bat in Scotland and only rarely found north of the Borders. They mostly roost in hollow trees and emerge, often before dark to forage high over parkland, woodland and pasture on large flying insects. Fig. 4 Noctule Bat All photographs David Dodds Associates Ltd David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 8

9 5. SURVEY METHODS 5.1 Desk Study Records of bats within a 5km radius of the site were obtained from appropriate local sources of biological records. 1: and 1: Ordnance Survey maps were consulted, together with satellite pictures, in order to assess the surrounding habitat. The Scottish Natural Heritage Sitelink website was consulted, to establish whether the site lay within or close to any designated sites. 5.2 Stage 1 bat survey All structures site was systematically examined for signs of bats and for structures with potential to be used by roosting bats. A high-power spotlight, close-focussing binoculars, ladders and an endoscope were used where necessary, to understand the structure. Structures with potential could include sarked slate or tile roofs, wallheads, cavity walls, attic voids, lofts, masonry crevices, rubble-filled walls, cellars, barrelvaulted ceilings etc. Signs of bat roosts could include droppings, urine spots, smear marks, corpses, ectoparasites, odour and social calls or scrabbling noises. Upper stories, attics etc were examined where they were accessible and it was judged safe to do so. 5.3 Sunset bat emergence surveys The surveys commenced 30 minutes before sunset and finished 90 minutes after sunset. 7 or 9 trained bat surveyors surrounded the buildings, in the locations marked on Figure 5, which allowed all elevations to be monitored for signs of emerging bats. Contact was maintained with all surveyors by radio. Each surveyor was equipped with a Bat Box heterodyne bat detector. The heterodyne output was monitored for bat activity which was recorded to a Secure Digital memory card, using a Zoom H2 digital audio recorder. This allowed for further analysis using Batsound software, if necessary. The supervising ecologist was equipped with a Wildlife Acoustics Echometer EM3, which records bat calls onto an SD memory card for later analysis, whilst also displaying the calls as sonograms on a screen for immediate identification. A log of bat activity was maintained, paying particular attention to locations where bats may have emerged from and to, and to behaviour which could indicate commuting or hunting activity. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stablse Bat Survey Report Page 9

10 Weather conditions (ambient temperature in degrees Celsius, cloud cover in Oktas, wind speed using the Beaufort scale and precipitation notes) were recorded at the start and end of the survey. Significant changes in weather during the survey were noted. Light conditions (measured in Lux) were recorded at the start and end of the survey. 5.4 Dawn bat survey The survey commenced 1.5 hours before dawn and continued until dawn. Two trained surveyors and the supervising ecologist each watched a section of the buildings (see Figure 6). Each surveyor was equipped with a Bat Box heterodyne bat detector. The heterodyne output was monitored for bat activity which was recorded to a Secure Digital memory card, using a Zoom H2 digital audio recorder. This allowed for further analysis using Batsound software, if necessary. The supervising ecologist was equipped with a Wildlife Acoustics Echometer EM3, which records bat calls onto an SD memory card for later analysis, whilst also displaying the calls as sonograms on a screen for immediate identification. A log of bat activity was maintained, paying particular attention to swarming activity, which could indicate roosting locations, and also to behaviour which could indicate commuting or hunting activity. Weather conditions (ambient temperature in degrees Celsius, cloud cover in Oktas, wind speed using the Beaufort Scale and precipitation notes) were recorded at the start and end of the survey. Significant changes in weather during the survey were noted. Light conditions (measured in Lux) were recorded at the start and end of the survey. 5.5 Survey limitations All British bats are peripatetic and move between different roosting sites through the seasons and sometimes within seasons. The absence of bats on a particular occasion does not necessarily rule out their presence at other times. An absence of physical signs does not always indicate the absence of a roost. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 10

11 KEY Location of surveyor during 1 st emergence survey Location of surveyor during 2 nd emergence survey Fig. 5 - Satellite photograph of the site, showing surveyor locations during emergence surveys David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stablse Bat Survey Report Page 11

12 N KEY Areas surveyed during the 1 st dawn return survey Areas surveyed during the 2 nd dawn return survey Fig.6 Satellite photograph of the site, showing surveyor route for dawn survey David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 12

13 6. RESULTS 6.1 Desk Study Surrounding Habitat The surrounding habitat comprises the Ratho Park Golf Club, with many matures trees and tree-lines. The Union Canla runs within 50 metres of the site, providing an excellent commuting corridor and feeding sites for a number of bat species. Surrounding habitat is largely agricultural, with good hedgerows and connectivity. The village of Ratho lies to the west, providing roosting opportunity for buildingroosting bat species. Overall this is a high value habitat for bats. Fig. 7 Satellite photograph, illustrating the surrounding habitat David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 13

14 Biological Records The Scottish Natural Heritage bat sites database shows records of Common and Soprano Pipistrelles in Ratho village, less than 1km away. The golf club own approximately 50 bat boxes which are maintained by the author. When checked each autumn these contain breeding groups of Common and Soprano Pipistrelles. In the last three years a mixed group of Brown Long-eared Bats has twice been found in one box. The author has personal experience of Soprano Pipistrelles and Daubenton s Bats feeding over the Union Canal, 50m to the north of the buildings. Site Designation This location is not part of any designated site. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 14

15 6.2 Stage 1 bat survey Date of survey 28 September 2012 Weather conditions Light conditions Dry Good The buildings comprising the stable block comprise seven elements, which for the purpose of this survey have been arbitrarily labelled, as shown in Figure 8. In general all the buildings are constructed similarly, with mortared sandstone walls, largely in a good state of repair and pitched roofs comprising slates over timber sarking, supported by timber trusses. In many places the roof is in a poor state of repair, with loose and missing slates. Photographs of all the buildings are presented in section 6.5. A West Cottage & B- East Cottage These two buildings are two storey cottages with small attic spaces. No evidence of bats was noted. There is potential for the attic to be used by attic-roosting species and the slates and wall-heads to be used by crevice-roosting species. C Stables This is a single-storey structure with a largely inaccessible attic space below. No evidence of bats was noted. There is potential for the attic to be used by atticroosting species and the slates and wall-heads to be used by crevice-roosting species. D Tack-rooms This is a single-storey structure with a largely inaccessible attic space below. No evidence of bats was noted. There is potential for the attic to be used by atticroosting species and the slates and wall-heads to be used by crevice-roosting species. E Coach-house The coach-house is a two-storey structure. The lower storey is an open space and the upper a former flat, comprising a central corridor with rooms off. The attic above is ideal for use by attic-roosting bat species, especially Brown Long-eared Bats as it is spacious and formed of a double-pitch. The ceiling is no longer present and small accumulations of Brown Long-eared Bat droppings were found in two places, consistent with regular use by solitary animals. There is potential for the roof slates to be used by crevice-roosting species. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 15

16 F Office This building comprises a single-storey group of rooms, stairs leading to the upper storey of the coach-house and a large attic space. Within the attic space a large accumulation of Brown Long-eared Bat droppings was found, consistent with its use by a summer maternity colony. This attic continues into the attic above the barn. There is potential for the roof slates to be used by crevice-roosting species. G - Barn This is a single-storey open barn, with an attic space above. Although there is no ceiling there is pigeon-mesh stretched across the rafters, preventing free flight movement between the two stories. Gaps at the edge of the mesh in three spaces could allow movement by crawling up the masonry (this proved to be the case and was seen in the first dawn survey). There is potential for the roof slates to be used by crevice-roosting species. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 16

17 A - West cottage C - Stables D Tack-rooms E Coach-house B - East cottage G - Barn F - Office Fig. 8 Satellite picture of the stable block, viewed from the East, annotated with the various sections described in the text. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 17

18 6.3 1 st Sunset bat emergence survey Timing: Date: 10 May 2013 Sunset Start of survey End of survey 21:11 UTC 20:40 UTC 22:40 UTC Weather conditions: Temp. (Celsius) Cloud (Oktas) Precip. Wind (Beaufort) Relative humidity Start of survey 10 C 1 / 8 Dry Force 0 76% End of survey 6 C 3 / 8 Dry Force 0 77% Bat activity recorded: Three Soprano Pipistrelles emerged from location B1 in the east cottage roof edge at 21:3 and 21:43. Another entered and re-emerged at the same location. One Brown Long-eared Bat emerged from location G1 in the barn wall-head at 21:55. One Soprano Pipistrelle emerged from location E1 in the coach-house roof at 22:08. Two Soprano Pipistrelles emerged from the roof edge of the west cottage, from location A1 at 21:42 and from location A2 at 22:15. Common and Soprano Pipistrelles were recorded hunting around the site throughout the survey. Brown Long-eared Bats were noted hunting under the trees at the north side of the site later in the survey. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 18

19 6.4 1 st Dawn bat return survey Timing: Date 22 May 2013 Dawn Start of survey End of survey 04:48 UTC 02:53 UTC 04:50 UTC Weather conditions: Temp. (Celsius) Cloud (Oktas) Precip. Wind (Beaufort) Relative humidity Start of survey 10 C 7 / 8 Dry Force 1 68% End of survey 8 C 3 / 8 Dry Force 1 79% Bat activity recorded: Between 03:50 and 04:20 at least 15 Brown Long-eared Bats swarmed within the ground floor of the barn, eventually accessing the attic space via a gap in the mesh attached to the rafters. One Brown Long-eared Bat was seen to enter via location G1 (a hole in the masonry at the wellhead). Ten were seen to enter via the top of the main door (location G2). One Soprano Pipistrelle swarmed and entered the roof edge of the East Cottage at location B2. One Soprano Pipistrelle swarmed and entered the roof edge of the Coach-house at location E1. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 19

20 6.5 2nd Sunset bat emergence survey Timing: Date: 13 June 2013 Sunset Start of survey End of survey 22:00 UTC 21:30 UTC 23:30 UTC Weather conditions: Temp. (Celsius) Cloud (Oktas) Precip. Wind (Beaufort) Relative humidity Start of survey 12 C 3 / 8 Dry Force 2 54% End of survey 11 C 4 / 8 Dry Force 3 65% Bat activity recorded: A physical inspection of the coach-house attic prior to survey revealed four Brown-long-eared Bats roosting in scattered locations in the roof timbers. The barn was noted to have scattered Brown-Long-eared droppings throughout. Two Soprano Pipistrelles emerged from the roof edge of the Barn at locations G3 and G4 at 22:05 and 22:49. Two Soprano Pipistrelles emerged from the roof edge of the Coach-house at location E1 and E2 at 22:10 and 22:19 respectively. Three Soprano Pipistrelles emerged from the roof edge of the west cottage at 22:21 and 22:34 at location A3. One Soprano Pipistrelle emerged from the roof edge of the East Cottage at 22:23, at location B3 and another from location B2 at 22:41. Three Brown Lon-eared Bats were seen to emerge from location G5 a damaged ventilator on the barn roof at 22:42, 22:43 and 23:11 Three Brown Long-eared Bats were seen to emerge from the barn door, location G2 at 22:56 and 23:08. At least 12 Brown Long-eared Bats used the interior of the barn for warm-up flights. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 20

21 6.6 2 nd Dawn bat return survey Timing: Date 18 June 2013 Dawn Start of survey End of survey 04:26 UTC 02:43 UTC 04:24 UTC Weather conditions: Temp. (Celsius) Cloud (Oktas) Precip. Wind (Beaufort) Relative humidity Start of survey 13 C 8 / 8 Dry Force 0 74% End of survey 12 C 8 / 8 Dry Force 0 86% Bat activity recorded: Brown Long-eared Bats were noted swarming within the barn between 02:47 and 04: Brown Long-eared Bats were seen to enter the buildings, as follows, most swarming around the entrances used prior to entering: o 25 via the barn door, location G2. o 1 via a crevice in the wallhead of the barn location G1 o 1 via a damaged ventilator on the courtyard side of the barn roof, location G6. o 6 via a loose slate in the apex of the office attic, location F1. o 2 via a loose slate in the north face of the coach-house attic, location E3. o 1 via a damaged ventilator on the east side of the barn roof, location G5 o 1 via a loose slate to the right of location G5, location G6. o 1 via a ground floor door in the coach-house, location E4. o 1 via a wall crevice on the east side of the barn, location G7 o 1 via a hole inside the portico ceiling of the stables C1. 9 Soprano Pipistrelles swarmed around the south of the buildings and entered via entrances B1, B2, B3, A1 and A2. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 21

22 6.5 Photographs Fig. 9 West Cottage, north elevation (arrowed left to right, locations A1 and A2) Fig. 10 East cottage, north elevation (arrowed left to right locations B2 and B1) David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 22

23 Fig. 11- West cottage, south elevation (arrowed location A3) Fig. 12 East Cottage, south elevation (arrowed location A3) David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 23

24 Fig. 13 Stables, east elevation (arrowed location C1) Fig. 14 Stables, west elevation David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 24

25 Fig. 15 Barn, west elevation (arrowed left to right locations G6, G2, G3,G1 and G4) Fig. 15 Barn, east elevation (arrowed left to right locations G7, G5 and G6) David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 25

26 Fig. 16 Office, north elevation (Coach-house to left) (Arrowed location F1) Fig. 17 Office, north elevation David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 26

27 Fig. 18 Coach-house, north elevation (Arrowed left to right, locations E1, E2 and E4) Fig. 19 Coach-house, north elevation (Arrowed location E3) David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 27

28 Fig. 20 Tack rooms, south elevation (with stables to right) Fig. 21- Tack rooms, north elevation (with coach-house to right) David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 28

29 Fig. 22 Interior of office attic Fig. 23 Location of Brown Long-eared Bat maternity roost, showing accumulation of dried droppings. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 29

30 Fig. 24 Barn interior Fig. 25 Upper storey of coach-house, showing missing ceiling and double pitched roof David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 30

31 Fig. 26 Interior of stables Fig. 27 Attic space above barn David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 31

32 Fig. 28 Colony of Brown Long-eared Bats, photographed at the maternity colony site after the first dawn survey. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 32

33 7. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS The survey data indicates that this set of buildings is used for roosting purposes by two colonies of bats. Soprano Pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) A colony of Soprano Pipistrelles uses the buildings for male roosts. Approximately individuals roost there individually or in small groups. They occupy at least ten locations in the crevice between the roofing slates and timber sarking, accessing these locations via loose slates and at wallheads. The bat boxes around the golf club are also well used by this species, with many records of autumn mating groups. Given the number of males roosting here it is likely that a maternity roost exists nearby, possibly in the club house or in a building in Ratho village. Brown Long-eared Bats (Plecotus auritus) A colony of Brown Long-eared Bats uses the attic of the office building as a maternity roost, with a group of around 35 females rearing young there during the summer months. These animals access their roost via a variety of entrances. The most used is the main door to the barn, though other entrances used included a broken roof ventilator, damaged masonry at the wallhead, a loose slate above the colony and a loose slate on the barn roof. Individual Brown Long-eared Bats also roosted singly in the attics of the coach-house and stables and these are probably male bats, accessing their roosts via a number of holes, slipped slates etc. Space for warm-up flight is important to Brown Long-eared Bats and they appeared to use the space in the barn for this purpose, probably because it this space provided easy egress via the barn door. During one of the dawn surveys these doors were open and during the second they were closed. In the first survey the bats swarmed within the barn, but in the second they mostly swarmed in the courtyard, indicating that there is some flexibility in this behaviour. It was not possible to tell whether any of these bats carried out warm-up flights or swarming in the attic space above the barn. This area is spacious and suitable for this activity and is also directly connected to the office attic. Although there is no ceiling in the barn, pigeon netting is stapled to the rafters, separating the attic and lower barn into two areas and it is likely that the bats choose to swarm in the lower barn as it is close to the current easiest entrance the barn door. If sufficient suitable entrances were made available in the barn attic and the lower barn sealed it is likely that the colony would continue to use the roost and swarm in the barn attic, as this would offer plenty of space to do so, close to suitable entrances. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 33

34 The ability of the colony to use male roosts within the same structure as the maternity colony is important to this species. Such roosts were identified in the coach-house and stables attics. Free access via the roof of the barn would allow such roosts to be freely used in the barn attic as well. Although the barn attic as connected to the office attic, this is via an L-shape and it would be possible to install two partial divisions towards the north end of the barn attic, giving the complexity of attic space preferred by this species and replicating the access currently available between the maternity roost in the office attic and the male roosts in the coach-house attic. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 34

35 8. RECOMMENDATIONS Derogation licensing for roofing repairs It is proposed to convert the stable block to provide domestic housing. Prior to this extensive works to the roofs of all the buildings will be necessary in order to repair the current dilapidated condition and replace some roof trusses. This will inevitably involve disturbance to the roosts of both bat colonies and it will be necessary to apply to Scottish Natural Heritage for a derogation license. For a license to be issued by Scottish Natural heritage three legal tests must be satisfied, as follows. 1. The favourable conservation status of the species must be undiminished. Both species involved are widespread and relatively common, especially in the case of Soprano Pipistrelles. Ensuring suitable roosting facilities are available to both species after the roofing works are complete will satisfy this test. Stripping of the roofing slates should be carried out in the presence of a licensed bat specialist, to safeguard any bats which remain. 2. There must be no reasonable alternative. There is no way that roof repairs can be carried out without disturbance to the bat roosts. 3. There must be a licensable purpose to the proposed work. Given the requirement to repair the roofs a licensable purpose of protection of property is suitable, as without these repairs deterioration of the buildings fabric would be inevitable (It is understood that expert opinion has indicated the need for extensive repair). It should be noted that it takes SNH approximately 8 weeks to determine a license application. A license will normally only be granted if the application is accompanied by survey data less than 12 months old. If an application is made after July 2014 it will be necessary to carry out further surveys to confirm that the use of the building by bats is unchanged. Method for roofing repairs Roofing repairs should be carried out following the method below: 1. Works should be carried out between mid-september and early mid-april the disturbance, out-with the breeding season and when bat activity is low. 2. All workers should be briefed regarding the possibility of encountering bats and the safe and appropriate actions to take in that event. 3. Roofing slates should be stripped manually, to prevent harm to any bats which may still be present. 4. Stripping should take place in the presence of a licensed bat specialist, who will safely remove any bats found to a bat box nearby. If found during hibernation they should be weighed and taken into care if there is any reason to believe they may not survive hibernation after waking up. Mitigation for roofing repairs It will be necessary to ensure that suitable habitat for the bats remains after work is completed, as follows: David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 35

36 1. Roof trusses should not obstruct flight by Brown Long-eared Bats within the attics. 2. Access points for Soprano Pipistrelles should be included. This may be done by lifting the edges of 30 slates by c. 1mm, allowing them access into the crevice below. 3. Roofing should not include membranes of a fibrous nature (these can cause bats to become tangled). 4. The roof should be lined by rough timber sarking, in the same pattern as at present. There should be a 20mm gap at the apex, to allow bats to move from sight, in response to any perceived threat. 5. The roofs of the barn and office should have at least eight purpose-made bat entrances for use by Brown Long-eared Bats included. These can be constructed in such a way as to allow access to bats but exclude pest bird species. Continued Ecological Functionality On completion of roofing repairs it will be necessary to ensure that the design of the building ensures continued ecological functionality (CEF) of both bat roosts. As it is proposed to develop the buildings into domestic dwellings it is unlikely that a derogation license would be issued for exclusion of the bats as the building of domestic property no longer fits within the list of licensable purposes accepted under The European Habitats Directive. CEF may be achieved in the following way. 1. The correct installation of the mitigation measures listed above. 2. Sealing the office and barn attic from the lower storey. 3. Installing two partial dividing walls in the barn attic (see Fig. 29), to provide suitable locations for roosting male Long-eared Bats. 4. Annual monitoring of the roosts by a licensing bat specialist for five years, to ensure continued compliance and provide feedback on the success of the measures. OFFICE BARN KEY BLE maternity colony Proposed additional partitions Fig 29 Plan view of proposed office/barn attic roosting area for Brown Long-eared Bats David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 36

37 Sale of completed homes There may be concerns about the sale of homes built with bat roosts within the attic and roof structures. It should be pointed out that many bats roosts on the scale present here exist without their owners being disadvantaged or disturbed in any way, or even often being aware of the presence of the bats. There is no reason to believe that this site will be any different. It may be reassuring to know that in the unlikely event that the bat colonies create any kind of disturbance to the new human occupants a free service is provided by Scottish Natural Heritage to help householder resolve such problems. If they cannot be resolved then it would be possible to obtain a derogation license to exclude them at no cost to householder. However the author would be surprised if these measures were to become necessary. David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 37

38 APPENDIX I SITE LOCATION MAP National Grid Reference: NT (Ordnance Survey mapping reproduced under licence number ) David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 38

39 APPENDIX II SATELLITE PHOTOGRAPH OF SITE David Dodds Associates Ltd Ratho Park stables Bat Survey Report Page 39