Pipistrelle Bat Roost Observed from Ground Level

Whilst carrying out a Bat Survey, David Whyte, TD Trees’ Bat licensed Ecological Arborist identified this pipistrelle species bat roost on a semi mature pendunculate oak in Perthshire yesterday during a phase 2 aerial inspection of potential roosting features (PRF) of over 300 trees. The pipistrelle is one of the more common bat species found in the uk and is also one of the smallest. Weighing around 5g and being only 45mm long that they can hide in the smallest cracks and crevices. This is why it is important to have bat inspections carried out by a licensed bat worker prior to any tree surgery. Our ecologists carry out bat surveys regularly and we often find bats, so it really is worth checking before you start any tree work.

David said “it is always exciting finding bats roosting in trees, most PRF are only accessible from a rope and harness so this roost is particularly exciting because the bat could be observed in roost from ground level”

This bat roost feature is a small diameter (5cm diameter) of hollowed out dead wood at the end of a branch. It shows the importance of carrying out close visual inspections of all PRF on trees prior to any planned arboricultural works, dead wooding for example.

All bat species in the UK are European Protected Species (EPS) and are fully protected under the EC Habitats and Species Directive 92/43/EEC. The Conservation (Natural Habitats,&c.) Regulations 1994 translates this law
into European legislation in the UK. These regulations have been amended in Scotland by The Conservation
(Natural
Habitats, &c.) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and 2007 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats,&c.) Amendment (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2008.

TD Tree & Land Services provide bat surveys across Scotland.