Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
Bat Species
11.2.17 A series of field surveys were carried out to determine the presence of bat species,
abundance, and the level of usage (flight activity) of the site by the bat species. The surveys
carried out are listed below. A detailed description of the survey methodology and dates can
be found in Appendix 11.3.
Site Walkover
11.2.18 A daytime site walkover was undertaken on 19 February 2012 within the survey area (Figure
11.1 – Bat survey area within the blue-line boundary). The aim of this survey was to check
and assess the potential value of habitats, features and structures present for roosting,
foraging and commuting bats.
Roost Surveys
11.2.19 All buildings identified within the bat survey area with the potential to support roosting bats
were inspected externally by an experienced bat ecologist in good weather. This included
seven structures that were all inspected on 2 July 2012, as shown on Figure 1 in Appendix
11.3.
11.2.20 The site predominantly contains coniferous plantation woodland with a mix of different age
stands. The mature stands are predominantly Sitka spruce with a dense canopy and offer
little potential for roosting bats. As no trees supporting, or with the potential to support
roosting bats were identified, no further tree surveys were deemed necessary.
Dusk Commuting Watch Surveys
11.2.21 Eight dusk commuting watches were undertaken between May and October 2012 (as
indicated in Appendix 11.3) to assess the level of commuting activity to or across the site and
to record early emerging, high risk species such as noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula). A single
Vantage Point (as shown in Figure 1 in Appendix 11.3) was located on elevated ground near
likely commuting routes in a habitat of greater suitability for bats.
11.2.22 The surveys started 30 minutes before sunset and had a duration of 1 hour – 1.5 hours
depending on weather conditions; longer if the night was bright and might delay bat
emergence. Surveyors recorded the flights of any bats observed commuting to/over the site.
Walked Transect Survey
11.2.23 Eight walked transect surveys (Figure 11.6) were carried out between May and October
2012 in order to cover the following key activity periods for bats:
• April-May (spring dispersal);
• June-July (maternity season);
• September-October (mating/dispersal season); and
• October-November (dispersal season).
11.2.24 Transects were walked from 45 to 60 minutes after sunset for approximately 2 hours. Point
surveys lasting 5 minutes were made along the route. This allowed for an assessment of bat
commuting, foraging and roosting activity during the dispersal and mating seasons (Natural
England, 2009). Routes and directions varied each month to ensure full coverage of the site
and important habitats, and to minimise temporal bias in the results.
March 2013 11-7 ES Chapter 11
Terrestrial Ecology
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