July 2017 - January 2018
We were commissioned in the summer of 2017 to undertake bat surveys relating to a small wind turbine located in the recreational playing field in Palgrave, north Suffolk.
The turbine had been erected in 2010 and was successfully operating and generating energy and income for the local community centre.... but it had been erected slightly in the wrong place!
In fact it was actually located 6m further from a hedge than it should have been.
The aim was to determine whether the turbine was adversely affecting bat activity in its current location, and to assess the risk of moving it 6m closer to the hedge.
We used a combination of bat activity transects and static bat detectors to build up a picture of bat activity along the nearby hedge and at the turbine itself. The evidence was clear and provided confidence that the bats were unaffected by the existing location and that moving it closer to the hedge would increase the risk that foraging activity could be affected and that bats may be at risk of collision.
The turbine had been erected in 2010 and was successfully operating and generating energy and income for the local community centre.... but it had been erected slightly in the wrong place!
In fact it was actually located 6m further from a hedge than it should have been.
The aim was to determine whether the turbine was adversely affecting bat activity in its current location, and to assess the risk of moving it 6m closer to the hedge.
We used a combination of bat activity transects and static bat detectors to build up a picture of bat activity along the nearby hedge and at the turbine itself. The evidence was clear and provided confidence that the bats were unaffected by the existing location and that moving it closer to the hedge would increase the risk that foraging activity could be affected and that bats may be at risk of collision.
Testimonial from Phil Dyer from Palgrave and District Community Centre:
“ The Palgrave and District Community Centre hired Huckle Ecology in 2017 to carry out bat surveys, involving bat activity transects and the use of bat recorders over a period of 3 months.
The report was delivered on time, it was comprehensive, detailed and in plain English. The data provided us with a picture of bat activity along the hedgerow, as well as at the turbine itself. The data was combined into a report which provided independent scientific advice as to whether the movement of the turbine closer to the hedgerow would be likely to result in an impact on the bats, either on individual bats or on local populations.
I can honestly say that the report and its findings were fundamental in our success for our case, as the Planning Committee considered it irrefutable evidence of potential impact to bats should we be forced to move the turbine towards the hedgerow and allowed us to retain the turbine in its present position. This has saved the Community Centre at least £12000 and has meant no further ecological and environmental impact through having to move it.
The Trustees of the Community Centre Charity, will remain very grateful for Jon for his hard work, diligence and professionalism”
“ The Palgrave and District Community Centre hired Huckle Ecology in 2017 to carry out bat surveys, involving bat activity transects and the use of bat recorders over a period of 3 months.
The report was delivered on time, it was comprehensive, detailed and in plain English. The data provided us with a picture of bat activity along the hedgerow, as well as at the turbine itself. The data was combined into a report which provided independent scientific advice as to whether the movement of the turbine closer to the hedgerow would be likely to result in an impact on the bats, either on individual bats or on local populations.
I can honestly say that the report and its findings were fundamental in our success for our case, as the Planning Committee considered it irrefutable evidence of potential impact to bats should we be forced to move the turbine towards the hedgerow and allowed us to retain the turbine in its present position. This has saved the Community Centre at least £12000 and has meant no further ecological and environmental impact through having to move it.
The Trustees of the Community Centre Charity, will remain very grateful for Jon for his hard work, diligence and professionalism”
