Bat Survey of Farmhouse and Farm Buildings -Shuttleworth Pasture Farm, Back Lane, Briercliffe

Wes Erlam Martin Prescott UU Property Solutions 330 Hollins Lane, Hollins, Coniston Buildings Bury, Lingley Mere Business Park Lancs. BL9 8BS Lingley Green Avenue Warrington 0161 796 6211 WA5 3UU 07946 488467 07768 036402 [email protected] 01925 463674

26.6.2007 Bat Survey of Farmhouse and Farm Buildings -Shuttleworth Pasture Farm, Back Lane, Briercliffe 29th May, 7 th and 24 th June 2007 Surveyor- Martin Prescott

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Method

3. Results

4. Conclusions

5. Recommendations

6. Bats and the Law

7. Surveyors Qualifications

1 1. Introduction

1.1 Reason for Survey

In order to obtain planning permission for renovation of this group of farm buildings, a bat survey was requested.

1.2 The Site

The site is at Shuttleworth Pasture Farm, Briercliffe, Burnley. Map ref. SD900360.

1.3 The Buildings and Surrounds

The buildings consisted of:

1.3.1 A large breeze block and corrugated sheeting barn

1.3.2 A breeze block and corrugated open-fronted shed with a brick section

1.3.3 Large Brick Barn, attached to the farmhouse

1.3.4 The Farmhouse

The immediate surroundings included upland pasture, patches of coniferous plantation, two reservoirs and small areas of young broadleaved trees and scrub.

2. Method

2.1 Risk Assessment, Possible Hazards

The required access to the site was relatively easy. There were no hazards other than those normally encountered when surveying basically sound buildings.

2.2 Daylight Survey

The initial survey took place on 29th May 2007. Access to the farmhouse was gained on 25th June 2006. A daylight survey was carried out in order to assess the site and search for potential roosting sites and signs of bat occupation.

All possible roosting areas that were accessible were searched for bats, their prey remains, droppings and urine stains. This survey was carried out after an evening of mild, mostly dry weather, and any bat droppings were likely to be evident. The day of the survey the weather was dry and mild.

Areas searched were:

2.2.1 Outside, the walls, ground and surfaces such as low extension roofs underneath the eaves around the perimeters of the buildings.

2 2.2.2 The inside floor areas of the outbuildings, especially those open to the roof.

2.2.3 Either side of the ridge beams, roof timbers and other likely crevices.

2.2.4 The roof voids

The farmhouse was not accessible during the first two visits (29th May and 7th June 2007)

2.3 Evening Survey

An evening emergence survey was carried out on 7th June 2007.

Two surveyors equipped with ultrasonic bat detectors watched for signs of emerging bats at the farmhouse. One surveyors stood at the front of the house and one to the rear, thus as much of the house and attached barn were in view as possible. The survey started about sunset and continued for approximately one hour. All observed bat activity was recorded. After the emergence survey the barns were searched for signs of Brown Long-eared Bats in pre-emergence flight.

2.4 Equipment

The equipment used consisted of a hand held torch, close-focus binoculars, ultrasonic bat detectors and ladders.

3. Results

3.1 Possible Roost Sites

The interior of the buildings were generally uncluttered and easily searchable.

All of the outside walls were accessible.

3.1.1 The Large Corrugated Sheeting Barn

This building had walls of breeze block, timber slats and corrugated sheeting.

There were many disused bird's nests and Blackbird and Pied Wagtail were seen and likely tom have active nests in the barn.

There were open doorways and gaps in damaged breeze block walls which bats could use as access points. There were crevices in the damaged walls which had moderate bat roosting potential.

No signs of roosting bats were found.

A Tawny Owl was seen flying out of this building on 7th June 2007. There were no signs of nesting owls.

3.1.2 Open-fronted Corrugated sheeting Shed With Brick Section

3 The largest part of this building had breeze block lower walls and corrugated sheeting upper walls and roof. The were suitable bat roosting crevices in the breeze block walls.

13 large owl pellets were found on the floor, but there was no sign of nesting owls.

The attached stone section had an open doorway and window spaces. There were crevices suitable for roosting bats in the masonry and under barge boards to the rear. There was an active Swallow's nest. One large owl pellet was found on the floor, but there was no sign of nesting owls.

No signs of roosting bats were found.

3.1.3 Large Stone Barn, attached to farmhouse

The main building had a pitched, felted slate roof in good condition. There were open doorways, broken windows and ventilation holes suitable for bat access. The remains of one butterfly were found on the ground floor.

There were two loft areas. No signs of bats were found in the smaller loft.

The remains of several butterflies were found in the larger loft as well as one large bat dropping, found underneath a tear in the roof felting. Two small owl pellets were found.

There was an attached brick shed, with an unlined corrugated roof, to the south of the main barn. There were broken windows and gaps under barge boards which were suitable bat access points. An old Swallow's nest was found inside. 20-30 butterfly wings were found on the floor, an indication of a Brown Long-eared Bat feeding site. There was a nest in a Clematis climbing on the wall of the shed.

3.1.4 The Farmhouse

On 24th June, access to the farmhouse was gained. Access t the roof void was easy and the attics were uncluttered and easily searched. The roof was felt lined and the attic spaces insulated. There were four attic rooms connected by holes in the dividing walls. No signs of bat or bird occupation were found.

3.2 Bat Foraging Potential and Alternative Roosts

The immediate area was moderately well vegetated, and was likely to be used by foraging bats.

Nearby habitat consisted of included upland pasture, patches of coniferous plantation, two reservoirs and small areas of young broadleaved trees and scrub. The reservoirs are likely to be used by foraging Daubenton's Bats (Myotis daubentonii).

4 3.3 Evening Survey

The emergence survey started at 9.44pm, although the surveyors had been on site since 9.30pm re-searching the loft of the stone barn for bat droppings. It ended at 10.34pm. Sunset was at 9.33pm, the weather conditions were suitable for foraging bats: 1/8 cloud, 10c (dropping to 8c), light breeze.

Four Common Pipistrelles were seen arriving at the farmhouse from the south-east (the direction of the nearby wood) and then heading north-east to the rear of the farmhouse. One Common Pipistrelle was seen arriving from the north and heading towards the south. Frequent foraging of Common Pipistrelles was observed to the rear of the farmhouse, around the corrugated sheeting barn (building 1), and occasionally in the corrugated sheeting barn.

No bats were recorded emerging from the farmhouse, the attached stone barn or the stone section of building 2. These three buildings were considered the most likely to be used by roosting bats.

4. Conclusions

4.1 The buildings were situated in moderate quality bat foraging habitat.

4.2 Building 1, and the corrugated section of building 2 had gaps in the breeze block walls suitable for roosting bats, otherwise have low bat roosting potential.

4.3 The stone section of building 2, the farmhouse and the attached stone barn were considered to have high bat roosting potential.

4.4 Minimal signs of bat occupation were found in building 3, the large stone barn. These were likely to be signs that a Brown Long-eared bat has used the building as a foraging site.

4.5 All these building were either confirmed sites for nesting birds or were likely to be used by nesting birds. The owl pellets in building 2 were large and indicated the presence of Tawny or Barn Owls but there were no signs of nesting. The smaller pellets in the building 3 contained many beetle parts and therefore are likely to be from a Little Owl. Care must be taken to avoid disturbing nesting birds. The nesting season, mid-March to mid-August is best avoided.

4.6 Bats were not using any of the buildings as roosts at the time of the evening emergence survey.

5 5. Recommendations

5.1 The corrugated barn, building 1, and the corrugated section of building 2 can be demolished/renovated with minimal risk to roosting bats.

5.2 Removal of the roof or part of the roof of the stone section of building 2, and the farmhouse and attached stone barn carries a risk of disturbance to the occasional roosting bat. Therefore, if the roofs of these buildings require removal, repair or renovation the roofing tiles/slates should be removed carefully by hand in the presence of a suitably licensed bat worker.

5.3 There were no implications with nesting Barn Owls, however there were signs of nesting Swallows and other birds and it is recommended that renovation work is timed to avoid the nesting season, mid-March to mid-August.

5.4 It should be remembered that bats are occasionally found in the most unexpected places. If any bats are found during the work, Natural England (01942 820364) or the consultant (see header) should be notified and work stopped immediately.

6. Bats and the Law

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, protects bats and their roosts. This act has been strengthened by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c.) Regulations 1994 (the “Habitats Regulations”) and Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

It is an offence to: Intentionally kill, injure or take a bat. Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any place that a bat uses for shelter or protection. This is taken to mean all bat roosts whether bats are present at the time or not.

The potential fine is £5000 per bat. An offender can also be imprisoned for 6 months.

It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat while it is occupying a structure or place that it uses for shelter or protection. A bat roost may be defined in several ways (A M Hutson 1993) • Spring gathering roosts • Maternity roosts • Mating roosts • Night and feeding roosts • Pre-hibernation roosts • Hibernation roosts

Under planning guidance note PPG9, protected species, such as bats should be a material consideration in planning applications. This has implications for bat foraging areas as well as their roosts.

6 7. Surveyors Qualifications

The surveyor, Martin Prescott, is South Lancashire Bat Group's most long-standing member (over 16 years) and currently holds the positions of Chair and Projects Officer.

He has many years experience in organising and taking part in bat surveys, both voluntary and professional.

He has experience of lepidoptera and amphibian surveys, and habitat management.

He has completed a course run by the Bat Conservation Trust, "Bats and Bat Surveys for Ecological Consultants".

He is a registered Bat Warden with English Nature.

He has successfully trained for and obtained a Bat Roost Visitor (Conservation) Licence covering the whole of England.

Martin Prescott