Should i condemn this?

[Paul Jenks]

If you think there is a good potential for roosting bats, and there probably is speak to Natural England and find a local friendly bat guy. Get them on your side, they'll usually pop over just to have a look as they get sooooo excited when they do find bats. A survey on a small tree like this shouldn't cost more than £50. If the tree owner decides to use another contractor inform the bat man and quote the current legislation and judicial sanctions for disturbing bats to the owner.

[RobRainford]

If you think there is a good potential for roosting bats, and there probably is speak to Natural England and find a local friendly bat guy. Get them on your side, they'll usually pop over just to have a look as they get sooooo excited when they do find bats. A survey on a small tree like this shouldn't cost more than £50. If the tree owner decides to use another contractor inform the bat man and quote the current legislation and judicial sanctions for disturbing bats to the owner.

 

 

ill look into that one, with my two weeks off coming up in the next few days ill have plenty of time to do looking up, feeling sorry for myself and looking daft covered in bandages.

 

IT definately seems like a possibility, the client he had been watching a woodpecker make his way into the tree over the previous weeks and said he has gone since, i said there could be a chance for bats in there now then.

 

Surely a little extra outlay for this job would save a lot of legal headache in time to come?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

It is always a good thing if you suspect bats to have it checked out, but it isnt nescsery to go beyond having a bit of a look yourself and if you find "evidence" then its a reqiured given that you call in the batty freaks! its only a SLIM chance, and a very SLIM chance at that there will be bats here, its an isolated tree, with only recent vacation by another species, some woodpeckers may even predate on bats, owls do and woodpeckers eat chicks apparently so maybe bats a re game too? but certainly the local bats will know it was at least recently a "no go" area.

[RobRainford]

ive been in contact with the customer, they want the tree out, i did offer management as an option which would be better for the tree but finances wouldnt be on their side in the years after so they want the long term financial option.

 

Unfourtunately they want it out, i said i would have a look for bats or anything after im back in work. They said they have had another person in to look at the tree who also recommended a prune, but didnt notice anything that i did regarding the split in the limb or the hole above the partial failure.

 

So i need to speak to a bat guy now.

[Bundle 2]

If there's bats present, it's unlikely to please Natural England that you wish to remove it. As an arb, you gotta remember you provide a service. Most " sensible" bat guys ( if there is such a thing ) recognise this . It is a possibility that bats use the tree neither as a roost or a nursery but as a lone bat ( v. low numbers) dormitory. It is likely to need to be in a strategic position with regards a woodland bat roost or corridor that in some way forms a strategic part of bat habitat for legislation to kick in requiring the tree's retention. Depending on the outcome, you could of course offer to prune the tree as before, with regard the ecology/conservation.....?

Keep us posted...!

[RobRainford]

That was discussed, even if the bat was there, i would just take away as much of the tree as possible but leave the bat roost completely alone. However, in the area there is a small woodland and a lake area which is less than 50 yards from this, so that could be where the bats are. the woodpecker hasnt been there in a long time so could this pose more of a probablility for bats?

[skyhuck]

That was discussed, even if the bat was there, i would just take away as much of the tree as possible but leave the bat roost completely alone.

 

No, you cannot disturb a roost

[RobRainford]

No, you cannot disturb a roost

 

 

that too. Theres no way i can work on the tree at all then if there is?

 

animals cause aggro ahhhh. especially those protected ones

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

stop losing sleep, i wish i had said nowt!

 

just have a peek, thats allowed, if they are there or it looks as though they might be then sweat otherwise get on with the job before you lose it to somone who would not give a flying wotsit about bats, woodpeckers or anything other than thier wallets.

 

bats are very rare in back gardens like this, its such a slim chance and if you check first you have done ALL that is REASONABLE.

[RobRainford]

Don't worry Hama. I'm glad you mentioned it tbh. I've given them a price and I said I'll inspect it then I'll let them know what I find. I'm hoping there's nothing. As I could do with the funds as much as the next guy.

 

The people I'm dealing with are mediating for the actual customer. They had another guy in who noticed nothing but it seems promising that I'll be getting the work. Touch wood!