Where an autumn examination of a tree has shown that bats have not emerged or returned to a tree, it is safe to proceed with the felling of the tree the following day, once the appropriate tree-felling licence, if required, has been secured.

Such an inspection confirms the status of the tree only at the time of inspection and where there is a delay of one day or greater the tree must be re-assessed.

Where bats are still present within an identified roost (that is neither a breeding nor a hibernation roost) following repeated postponement of felling, it will be necessary to undertake exclusion procedures.

These will allow bats to exit from a tree but not to return. The exact method used will depend on prevailing conditions.

The bat specialist will advise on the steps necessary for exclusion and the likely time period required. This exclusion process must be done under licence from the NPWS.

At Eire Ecology we specialise in bat surveys and with years of experience in completing small to large scale surveys, we have the knowledge, tools and personnel to see your project through to completion. John is an active council member of Bat Conservation Ireland, an organisation dedicated to the preservation of bat species in Ireland.