In October 2022, several members of MKA Ecology participated in bat handling training as part of working towards a level 2 bat licence. We were invited by a principle bat carer volunteer at the Essex Bat Group to work with a selection of bats that she cares for that are either injured or require permanent care.
The bat handling training took place at dusk so we had the opportunity to fly the bats when they are naturally active, this is important in the rehabilitation process as it helps to regain muscle mass for their eventual release and allows them to perform natural behaviours. This also enabled us to observe these species’ individual flight patterns up close. We were able to handle several different species, including Nathusius’s pipistrelle, our largest resident pipistrelle in the UK.
This bat handling training will assist out team members in gaining their level 2 bat licence. This licence will allow them (under the appropriate Natural England EPS licence) to handle bats found during works and ensure that individuals are not harmed by construction works. It will also allow for the use of an endoscope to survey potential roost features that are difficult to see into during early-stage bat scoping surveys (Preliminary Roost Assessments).
Find out more about bat surveys or to discuss or book or your own bat survey, please do contact us.