Tree Survey

Project: Sigingstone, , Vale of

Instructed by: Andrew Morgan

Reported by: Ecological Services Ltd 10 Mount Pleasant, Llanelly Hill, Abergavenny, Monmouth NP7 0NT

Author Date Version

Richard Watkins July 2020 V1.0

T: 01873 268017 E: rich@ecologicalservices. W: www.ecologicalservices.wales

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 1 of 16 1.0 The Brief; its background and purpose

1.1 The current land owners propose to develop a plot of land in the south west aspect of village of Sigingstone, . A number of trees are have been identified that may be impacted upon during the schedule of works. These trees are to be assessed for potential for use by roosting bats. This report will be used to assist the planning process.

1.2 The trees scheduled for possible works were identified via email from Llyr Morris of Asbri Planning Ltd dated 25th November 2019.

1.3 This survey was undertaken at the optimal time of year. A SEWBReC data search did not identify any bat records for these trees.

1.4 This report will focus if the trees have potential for use by bats, in a roosting capacity.

1.5 The report is prepared and undertaken by Aislinn Harris, a licensed bat worker and accredited tree climber with aerial rescue skills NRW License Number S085699-1, and Richard Watkins, a bat worker who also has tree climbing and rope access experience.

2.0 Site Description

2.1 The proposed development site is approximately 0.6ha in size, roughly rectangular in shape, sloping gently downwards from south to north. The site forms part of a larger field which has recently been cut. The dominant habitat is grassland with hedgerows forming the northern and southern boundaries; the northern boundary lies adjacent to a lane, the southern boundary lies adjacent to the adjoining field. To the east the boundary comprises mature trees with some bramble scrub adjacent to the lane; there is no boundary feature to the west. Within the northern hedgerow there are several mature trees.

2.2 The site is considered to be in a rural location in the hamlet of Sigingstone, the market town of Cowbridge lies approximately 3.5km to the north east and the small town of lies approximately 2.5km to the south. The immediate vicinity of the site along with the wider landscape is agricultural land with small pockets of woodland.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 2 of 16 2.3 Grid reference: SS 97219 71535

3.0 Limitations of this inspection and of this report

3.1 Initial assessments of potential tree roost sites were made during a visual ground level inspection. The inspection was concerned solely with assessing certain features within the trees in respect of their roost potential or roost occupancy. The condition of these specimens in relation to their Health and Safety is not assessed or commented upon.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 3 of 16 4.0 Legal Constraints

4.1 Bats, and any place a bat uses for breeding or shelter, either currently occupied or unoccupied are protected by European and British law, predominantly by The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, which are the principal means by which the Habitats Directive is transposed from European directive into law in England and Wales. 4.2 In summary this law states that it is an offence to:

• Deliberately capture or kill a bat • Deliberately disturb a bat • Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat • Keep, transport, sell or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange a living or dead bat or any part of a bat

4.3 ‘Deliberately’ may also be interpreted as not intending to injure or kill a bat but having done so due to being insufficiently informed and unaware of the consequences of the action.

4.4 For a more comprehensive description and exact wording of the legislation please refer to: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/490/contents/made

4.5 Where there is a risk that a bat roost may be present, it is incumbent upon the owner to commission a specialist bat survey to identify bat roosts before any work commences. Maximum penalties for offences relating to disturbance to bats or their roosts can amount to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or fines of up to Level 5 on the standard scale under the Criminal Justice Act 1982/1991 (i.e. £5000 in April 2001) per roost or bat disturbed or killed, or to both.

4.6 If a bat roost is discovered no work that could affect the roost can be undertaken until Natural Resources Wales, grants a licence endorsing the work. A thorough method statement and adequate mitigation proposal will need to be submitted to support any licence application.

4.7 There are some 17 species of bat native to the British Isles. All these are insectivorous and depend to some extent on habitat in which trees are a significant element. Bats are a protected species and are in decline both globally and nationally. Therefore, they are to be fully considered before any tree work commences and particularly if the trees are mature.

4.8 Tree Preservation Orders. The client is responsible for checking the site for any Tree Preservation Order or Conservation Area designation as the Author has not undertaken such a check. When any tree/s are protected by a TPO or are situated within a Conservation Area, it is an offence (1) cut down (2) uproot (3) top (4) lop (5) wilfully damage or (6) wilfully destruct a tree without the express written permission form the Local Planning Authority (LPA), there are exceptions. Permission may be sought and granted if considered reasonable by the LPA, following the submission of an application for consent to undertake the works. Tree works may be permitted if in accordance with an Approved Planning Application or if conducted under exemptions of dead, dying or dangerous within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. If it is intended to conduct works using such exemptions, you are strongly advised to seek the view of the LPA or an Arborist before commencing. The law on TPOs is in Part V111 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Town and Country Planning (Trees) Regulations 1999. V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 4 of 16 4.9 Conservation Area In the event the trees are within a designated Conservation Area, under the Part Two of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990., then any intent to undertake tree works should be presented to the Local Planning Authority in writing as (a section 211 notice) who will decide if the works are permitted. In the event there is an objection, a Tree Preservation Order will be served. In the event there is no objection, you may undertake the work once the six weeks has elapsed in the absence of any Order being applied.

4.10 Bats interact extensively with trees using them for a variety of purposes. British bats show a preference for habitats associated with broadleaved woodlands and water. In addition, they select linear features in the landscape for foraging and commuting. The trees may contain bats or may contain a bat roost, even if not occupied during the winter months.

5.0 Survey Methodology and Establishing Roost Site Potential

5.1 The trees previously identified as having possible bat potential were further inspected. The visual inspection consists of viewing each tree from the ground and using binoculars where necessary to establish if any potential roosts may be present.

5.2 Where evidence of potential roosts sites are found, these features is noted as targets, these targets undergo further investigation. These features would include cracks, splits, holes, cavities particularly deep and running upwards, rot holes, hazard beams, dense ivy or other vegetation and loose bark. (Hazard beams, ivy and loose bark tend to offer shelter during the summer months but not during the winter months as they do not provide a thermo stable environment, although ivy may hide from view potential features such as deep cavities and climbing surveys are therefore required on old mature specimens). Such features are then investigated and a climbing inspection is undertaken to visually assess, at close quarters, these potential sites and report upon them. Bats during the summer months can change tree roosting locations as often as every 1 or two days. In winter Bats use well insulated deep cavities and will spend sometimes weeks at a time in torpor.

6.0 Tree Survey, Habitat Assessment and Investigation

6.1 Where any tree carried a cavity, structure, defect, or other potential habitat niche that may be used by bats, a climbing inspection should be undertaken to inspect at close quarters these potential sites, which is recorded and reported upon. Where a large mature tree has the ability to offer cavities and is covered in ivy, then these trees will be identified as targets for a climbing inspection. The climber inspector upon reaching these features will note the type of feature investigated. This would include among others; type, depth, width, dry or wet or water holding.

6.2 Where potential roosts are identified, a close inspection will be made first of the ground beneath the potential roost site looking for evidence of bat droppings (if detected, the droppings will be analysed to determine species) before climbing ensues. Any tree can be used for roosting as long as shelter is provided. Bats can inhabit trees which have the following criteria:

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 5 of 16 • Any fissures, cracks, holes, especially vacated woodpecker holes, and cavities in the trunk or branches which are over 10-mm in diameter. • Loose and flaking bark and abundant dense ivy also presents potential for a roost site during the summer. • Trees less than eighty years old have a much lower chance of roosting bats, than more mature specimens. Although as noted above woodpecker holes, rot cavities, fissures and loose bark increases potential. • Trees aged over eighty years old have a greater chance of bat occupation and then the chance increases proportionate to age until one hundred and twenty years old where the abundance of roost sites gives the tree a high chance of bats. Once a roost as been established the chances of reoccupation in the future is strong this is due to the longevity of a bats life and their tendency to return to known roosts. • Damaged trees irrespective of age are very likely to offer roost sites. Significant windblow or damage from falling mature trees increases likelihood of a roost even in young trees.

The potential roost site would then be inspected for overt evidence of bat presence and occupation this could present as:

• Staining around a cavity, fissure or split caused by oils secreted by the bat into its fur • Scratching on limbs caused by the bat in the act of take off and landing • Bat droppings in and around the hole • Urine stains below a possible entrance site or within entrance to a cavity. The urine also smells heavily of ammonia which is distinctively identifiable at close quarters. • Possible audible noses during daylight of bats chattering especially in hot weather • Flies around entrance of possible roost which may be attracted to bat guano • The lack of cobwebs around a possible entrance site may also suggest occupation, but of course does not directly confirm bat presence.

6.3 Any potential roost features with the above evidence and not fully visible to the naked should be fully investigated using an Endoscope with illumination. The scope will be inserted into the potential roost and a thorough, internal, visual inspection will ensue. If at any point bats are discovered the scope should be immediately withdrawn.

6.4 It is rare for bats to restrict themselves to a single tree roost. An individual tree may be used by different species of bats, sometimes at the same time. Most bats change roosts throughout the year in response to their individual needs. Some species change roosts every two to three days. Often they are looking for subtle differences in temperature and humidity. An individual bat might use 20 or so different roosts in a year. 1(Forestry Commission 2005).

6.5 Trees most favoured by bats are mature Oak, Beech, Ash and Scots Pine but other trees have been known to form bat roosts. Bat roosts can be located at any height but preferred sites occur in the upper branches and trunk. Although this is not an absolute rule and bats have been found roosting in dense ivy, and cavities at a trees’ base, one example of this being the Barbastelle, (Barbastella barbastellus).

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 6 of 16 7.0 Visual Ground and climbing survey undertaken on the 1st December 2019

7.1 The following site map, provided by Llyr Morris of Asbri Planning Ltd, was used for tree identification, no trees were tagged. T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, G1 and T9 were surveyed.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 7 of 16 7.2 Tree 9:

Very light Ivy. No potential for roosting bats, Small south facing wound above south facing limb but only penetrates the bole by 20mm.

7.3 Tree Group 1

Very light Ivy but bole could be evaluated. No potential for roosting bats.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 8 of 16

7.4 Tree 8

Ivy covered, no visible potential and tree appears to be in good health, very unlikely to hold potential, but it is recommended to cut ivy at base of stem outside the core maternity season, i.e. early September but before the core hibernation period of November to February Inclusive. Once Ivy as died back, remove carefully in late September or October. If a cavity in the bole is discovered the bat worker must be summoned to inspect. The are some small cankers at the top that does not penetrate into the bole. If planning is granted during or after the hibernation period then works should be undertaken after Feburary but before May.

7.5 Tree 7 and 6

Small in size, light ivy covering, the bole could be inspected. No potential for roosting bats.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 9 of 16 7.6 Tree 5

Large Ash, there is a rot hole which is west facing on a small limb 5m above ground level.

7.7 There is a further large wound in the main bole that tracks vertically for 300 to 400mm No evidence of bat use but there is potential for use in the summer months. It is likely to be too superficial for use for hibernating. A further inspection immediately prior to felling is required by a suitably qualified ecologist. If bats or evidence of bats are present then all works on this tree will be suspended and a license from Natural Resources Wales will be sought to sanction any works going forward.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 10 of 16 7.8 There are further defects that have very limited potential for roosting bats. On west facing and south facing limbs.

7.9 All wounds on Tree 5 will be reinspected by prior to any works that may damage or disturb the roost, prior to felling is required by a suitably qualified ecologist. If bats or evidence of bats are present then all works on this tree will be suspended and a license from Natural Resources Wales will be sought to sanction any works going forward. Any limb with a feature suitable for bats will be soft felled under direct ecological supervision, following an internal endoscopical inspection.

7.10 Tree 4

Heavy Ivy covering, wide spread cankerous wounds. recommended to cut ivy at base of stem after the core maternity season, i.e. early September but before the core hibernation period of November to February Inclusive. Once Ivy as died back, remove carefully in late September or October. If a cavity in the bole is discovered the bat worker will further inspect. The are wide spread canker wounds throughout the tree, these will require inspection by a suitably qualified ecologist prior to felling. The tree once inspected will be soft felled under direct ecological supervision.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 11 of 16

8.1 General Activity Survey

8.2 Because of the time of year no general transects were undertaken.

9.0 Emergence survey

9.1 Because of the time of year no emergence surveys were undertaken.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 12 of 16 10.0 Concluding Remarks

10.1 No bats or evidence of bats were identified during the surveys.

10.2 Although no bats or evidence of bat use was identified during the inspections it is noted that trees 4 and 5 offered potential for bat use during the warmer weather. No significant hibernation potential was identified.

10.3 The desirability of these tree is increased due to the location being adjacent to open fields.

10.4 It is advised that if these tree is to undergo surgery works then this must be under ecological supervision, following a further endoscopic investigation on the day of the tree works. This is because bats during the warmer months can move roost on average every 1.5-2 days.

10.5 It is suggested that a suitably qualified ecologist meet and work alongside the tree surgery team. While it is recommended that a license from the Natural Resources Wales is not required in this instance it is recommended that a bespoke and flexible methodology is undertaken during the works. Future bat occupation can not be ruled out totally.

10.6 The tree operatives working on the trees should have a basic understanding of bat ecology and tree features that are used by bats. The tree operatives should remain diligent throughout the works on these trees. If features are found that have not been mentioned in this report then works should stop and the bat worker summoned. The bat worker will inspect the feature and decide the best course of action.

10.7 If bats or evidence of bats are discovered at any time then works shall stop and a license applied for from Natural Resources Wales to sanction the works. This license application will be made by the licensed bat worker on behalf of the client.

10.8 Following completion of the further inspection and in the event that no bats or evidence of bats are discovered, the bat worker will complete a situation report stating that the recommendations of this report have been followed and that no bats were impacted upon.

10.9 In the extremely unlikely event that bats are discovered on site during any tree works outside of the supervision period, the Guidance Note in the appendices must be followed.

10.10 All nesting birds are afforded protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, and therefore the presence of nesting birds must be taken into account when carrying out any future felling works. The bird nesting season is typically March to August inclusive. These trees should be felled outside this time if possible. If tree works must be undertaken in the nesting bird period then a suitably qualified ecologist must inspect the trees first, and only once the ecologist has submitted written notification to the contractors that no nesting birds are present should the works commence. The bird box on tree 7 must be inspected by a suitably qualified ecologist prior to works starting, if these works are in the bird nesting season of March to August inclusive.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 13 of 16 10.11 If nesting birds are discovered at anytime then a 10m buffer zone must be implemented around the nest until the chicks have fully fledged and the nest vacated. This nest’s vacated status must be confirmed by an ecologist prior to any further works.

10.12 The timings of the works should be undertaken at such a time to limit the impact in the unlikely event that a bat is present. During the winter months bats enter torpor which is similar to hibernation and will remain in this state for possibly weeks at a time. It requires a lot of energy to come out of torpor and this depletes the energy reserves of the bat. It is recommended that the works be carried out prior to the core hibernation period for bats which is November to February inclusive if planning is not granted after this time then the works could not start until the bats have woken from torpor in the middle of March, therefore minimising the risk of disturbance whilst in torpor.

10.13 The remainder of the trees with any Ivy covering that is thick enough to obscure a cavity in the bole will have the Ivy cut low down the bole during the winter months and time left to allow the Ivy to die off. Once it is dead the tree works will carefully strip the ivy from the trees. If a cavity in the bole is discovered the bat worker will be summoned and the cavity inspected for potential. The bat worker will then decide the best course of action. The ivy must not be stripped off during either the core hibernation period for bats of November to February inclusive or the core maternity season of May to August inclusive. Bats are known to roost behind dense ivy during the warmer months therefore late march or late September are optimal times for this work. Trees where light ivy is present and the bole can be seen through the ivy can be stripped but diligence must be applied and the ivy inspected for lone bats before being discarded. If bats are discovered guidance in this document note is to be followed.

10.14 The Environment (Wales) Act 2016, places an onus on bodies such as the Local Planning Authority to enhance biodiversity. To satisfy this obligation provision for both bat roosting and nesting bird opportunities must be incorporated into the new build design. Further advise can be given once elevation drawings are available.

11.0 Methodology for Soft Fell if Large Sections need to be removed.

11.1 The felling should be undertaken by a team of tree surgery specialists who have a wide and varied experience in working with bats in trees. A licensed bat worker with experience of bat care will be onsite throughout the duration of works on the tree. The bat worker will be equipped so that if bats are found they can be handled safely causing no harm to the bat or the worker. The worker will be required to be vaccinated against European Bat Lassa Virus and gloves are to be worn at all times when inspecting for or handling a bat. An appropriate storage box will be included to contain bats if discovered.

11.2 Before work commences the surgery team will receive a Toolbox Talk from the Bat Worker on identifying bat roosts in trees, and what is expected of them.

11.3 The tree will have any ivy carefully removed and then be sectioned into manageable pieces; each piece will be rigged with a lifting sling and lowered to the ground. The weight of the limb will be taken up and a climber will sever the section. The limb is then lowered to the ground and inspected by the bat worker. If prominent roosting features exist these will be endoscopically investigated before the limb is cut, and only cut once bat occupancy has been ruled out or any evidence of bat use has been excluded. V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 14 of 16 11.4 The surgery team will be instructed that there is potential that the dismantled limbs being lowered could contain bats, and that any lifting operation should be conducted with great care not to cause any unnecessary bumping and that those limbs should be lowered in a slow smooth fashion into a clearing where good access is achievable by the bat worker. If the limb is large then it should be suspended just above ground level so all aspects can be inspected.

11.5 If the Climbing Team discovers potential roost features then the Bat Worker will climb and inspect. If this is then confirmed as a potential roost site then the limb must be cut in a fashion not to expose the roost.

11.6 If any doubt of where the internal cavity ends then endoscopic equipment will be used to help identify the extent of internal cavities and ensure that the there is no chance of the roost being opened up.

11.7 An endoscope should be on site throughout the proposed works to inspect any cavities.

11.8 In the extremely unlikely event that a roost is opened up, it will be lowered and inspected. If bats are present then they will be collected by the licensed bat worker. The limb will, if possible, be attached securely using tree friendly fixings into a suitable adjacent tree; this will be identified at the beginning of the project. Best efforts will be made to mimic the existing roost placement in the surrogate tree, including its height and orientation with unhindered access and egress. NRW would be informed at this point.

11.9 If the weather is favourable then the bats will be released at the site location at dusk the same day, if the weather is deemed poor the bats will be cared for overnight by the Bat Worker with bat-care experience. The bats will be fed and watered and then will be placed back inside the new roost on the next available night when suitable weather is forecast. If no roost is available the bats will be released by hand.

11.10 Before any tree works is undertaken it is recommended that the Local Authority be consulted to confirm that no Tree Protection Order, (TPO) has been placed on this tree.

Signed: R Watkins Date: July 2020

11.0 References

1. Principles of Tree Hazard Assessment and Management by Dr. David Lonsdale. 2. A Field Guide to the Trees of Britain and Northern Europe by Alan Mitchell 3. English Nature Bat Mitigation Guidelines 4. Arborecology; looking out for bats (Andrew Cowan) 5. Forestry Commission; Woodland Management for Bats 6. Bats and Bat Surveys; Participants Notes, Bat Conservation Trust 2005 7. Bat Workers Manual; Joint Nature Conservation Committee 8. Woodland Management for Bats; Good Practice Guide, Forestry Commission in partnership with Bat Conservation Trust, Countryside Council for Wales and English Nature

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 15 of 16 12.0 Guidance Note

Guidance Note (Important information in the unlikely event that bats are discovered)

Where tree felling or tree works are to commence, tree felling contractors should remain vigilant at all times during the course of the works, looking for signs that bats are present or that bats have formerly occupied a tree or feature. Whilst this survey has been undertaken and no visible evidence of bats found within any trees, the possibility of a bat or bats being present cannot be absolutely ruled out. In the extremely unlikely event that bats are discovered in the trees during the works, then work must stop as soon as it is safe to do so, the Natural Resources Wales, and a licence applied for to complete the works. No works will be permitted until such time a license is approved.

If in the unlikely event a roost is accidentally felled, any loose bats should be returned to the roost and apertures closed to prevent their escape until they can be examined for injury by a bat worker. Dead bats should be retained. Bats are very fragile and should be handled by a professional, and unless absolutely necessary should not to be approached and disturbed. However, where a bat is clearly injured and distressed, the tree contractor should carefully collect them and place in a light proof box. Gloves must be worn when handling bats*

Where limbs of trees have been removed and are found to have residual bats, that limb could be strapped to a nearby tree in a similar position, if a viable option and unlikely to disturb the bats, and left for the bats to relocate. A bat worker will advise on this. Where this is not possible then the timber shall be left on the floor for 24 hours.

In the event of a Bats being discovered the bat worker must be contacted immediately that it is safe to do so on 07866461726. If the bat worker is not available, Natural Resources Wales must be contacted on 0300 065 3000

———————————————————————————————————————— *Bats can potentially carry European Bat Lyssa Virus (EBLV) which is a strain of rabies virus that is found in some bat species although extremely uncommon, a potential risk occurs; therefore, all bats must be handled with thick gloves.

V1.0 Land at Sigingstone Page 16 of 16