patrick stileman

Hi Julian and all Sorry, I missed your replies and have not got back to you; however I have this morning put up a link on arbtalk (in the general forum) to the draft BS which is now live. For context about my involvement, I am an arboricultural consultant and have provided an arb input as a member of the BS drafting committee. Previously I wrote the AA Guidance Note 1 relating to bats and tree work. It is the intention that the BS shall be a pragmatic document - it is not new legislation but a guide. The document describes how non-specialists (i.e. most arbs) can undertake the survey work in the majority of cases with basic level of bat awareness training, and this includes the limited use of endoscopes. The approach which Beninthewoods describes he does sounds compatible with the BS. Regards Patrick

Dear all The draft for public consultation (DPC) of BS8596 'Surveying for bats in trees and woodland' is now live. To review the standard, go to the drafts page of the BSI website <http://drafts.bsigroup.com/> and set up an account with a password. Once in, type a key word to get to the right standard (8596 works). Comments for each section must be made on the website in the relevant sections. The public consultation period runs until 31st May. I have spoken to people about the standard who are fearful that it will require a consultant ecologist to be called out to every tree which has a split or cavity. This is not the case and the document describes how non-specialists (i.e. arbs) can undertake the work in the majority of cases with a basic level of bat awareness training, and this includes the limited use of endoscopes. Large sections of the standard relate to bat specialists / ecologists in describing how specialist bat surveys should be undertaken, and these sections are beyond the scope of what most non-specialists will need to know. I have previously said that BSI is also producing a free to download Micro Guide which shall summarise the non-specialist content of the main BS document. The Micro Guide does not form part of the DPC process. I encourage you to review the document and submit comments. Regards Patrick

Dear all As some will be aware a new British Standard relating to the surveying of trees and woodlands for bats (BS8596) has been in the process of production for a long time. The standard has progressed and the draft for public consultation (DPC) shall be available within the next two weeks. Although a considerable proportion of the standard is aimed at ecologists and bat specialists, sections of it relate directly to arboriculturists and as such it will be an important document for the industry. The standard describes how scoping and secondary surveys to assess the presence of potential bat roosts should be undertaken by non-specialists (i.e. arbs) and the occasions when bat specialists will be required. It describes procedures that should be followed if bats are found during tree work operations and action to be taken if tree work is urgently required for reasons of public safety to trees which have, or appear likely to have, bat roosts. The standard also describes how woodland should be assessed for bat foraging and commuting potential. BSI is also producing a Micro Guide which shall summarise the non-specialist guidance (the sections particularly relevant to arbs) contained within the main BS document. The Micro Guide shall not form part of the public consultation; however it shall directly reflect BS, so the content could be influenced by the public consultation. Ultimately the Micro Guide shall be made available in pdf format as a free download. The British Standard shall set out how those involved in tree work can, with basic training, undertake an assessment of trees for bats themselves without the need for specialist assistance in the majority of cases. It shall consolidate and add to existing guidance into a single document, and being a British Standard should raise the profile of this important but frequently over-looked aspect of tree work. As European Protected Species (EPS) bats and bat roosts have an extremely high level of legal protection and everyone involved in the practical side of tree work should have suitable procedures in place. One aspect that will emerge from the document is the need for arb contractors to have basic bat awareness training. There are various courses and training providers; however I can recommend the courses run by the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT). I shall post a link when the draft is live and encourage you to look at it and send comments Patrick Stileman