New Research Poster Presented at the Bat Conservation Ireland Conference
We were delighted to present new research at the Bat Conservation Ireland Conference in Belfast (March 2026), sharing our analysis of how the revised 2025 ECOBAT system affects bat activity classifications and wind farm curtailment decisions. The poster, authored by Fionn O’Neill and John Curtin, examines the consistency of outputs between the former and updated ECOBAT versions using datasets from four Irish wind farm sites.
What the Research Explores
Our study investigates:
- How percentile classifications shift under the new ECOBAT
- Whether high‑risk species (e.g., Nyctalus leisleri, Pipistrellus spp.) are re‑categorised
- The impact on turbine‑level curtailment triggers
- Whether changes are consistent across different landscapes and bat communities
As the poster notes, “Percentile-based classifications directly influence collision risk assessments and curtailment decisions.” Understanding how these classifications shift is essential for ensuring robust mitigation.
Key Findings
Across all four sites, we observed:
- Downward percentile shifts for high‑risk species
- Upward shifts for Myotis and woodland species
- A substantial reduction in turbines triggering curtailment under the new ECOBAT
- Greater variability at low‑activity sites
Because ECOBAT is a relative comparison tool, lower percentiles do not necessarily indicate lower collision risk. This raises concerns about under‑protection if curtailment thresholds are relaxed.
Implications for Policy and Practice
The updated ECOBAT system produces outputs that differ significantly from the previous version. Given that current guidelines rely heavily on percentile thresholds, even small shifts can lead to large differences in mitigation requirements.
The poster highlights that “changes to this system must be justified to a high level of confidence to ensure the best outcomes for bats.”
Download the Full Poster
You can download the full conference poster here:
https://eireecology.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Poster-Presentation-ECOBAT.pdf