Picture yourself at your office and spring has finally arrived, you start to gear up for construction on a most crucial project. Maybe it was delayed over the winter or the weather has finally started to cooperate. But wait, you look at the calendar and it is near the end of March. You slap your palm against your forehead. You forgot that you can’t cut trees because of federally protected bat species. You frantically review the maps, and find that you do have trees on the property. Maybe a few – possibly many, and you haven’t got around to clearing them.

You panic…

Don’t panic, Orbis’ federally permitted bat biologist can help you. Well, some panic is to be expected, but you shouldn’t worry too much because emergence surveys can remedy your problems.

The first step is to determine if there are known records of bat captures or roosts in the area. A simple desktop review and possible discussion with agencies will confirm if there are any records. Then the second step is to identify trees that could be potential roosts for protected bats. A field survey conducted by biologists will identify potential roosts and likely reduce the number of trees you will have to survey. Once the potential roost trees are identified, then an observer will conduct an emergence survey. If bats are not observed then the trees should be removed as soon as possible, typically the next morning. If bats are observed then more intensive surveys including acoustic or netting may need to take place.

A juvenile hoary bat resting on a roost tree.

Another solution (the most important point of this paper) is to rewind to the start of the new year. Cue the way-back-machine…

You are back to work after much-needed time off during the holidays. You are thinking of the future, as is tradition, so now is the time to think about that crucial project. You look at the calendar, you snap our fingers. In a “ah-ha” moment you remember that you need to call Orbis to help you determine impacts to federally protected bat species. A desktop review and habitat assessment conducted in the early part of the year will provide the information you will need to avoid impacting federally protected bats.

Once potential roost trees are identified you can plan to remove them before the end of March making your job much less stressful. If you cannot remove trees by the deadline you will at least be prepared to conduct emergence surveys and incorporate the costs in your budget. Once you follow the above steps, you can move forward with your project with the satisfaction of not having to deal with an emergency and completing the project efficiently, on schedule, and under budget.

Even if you follow the above advice you could still find yourself with trees needing removal at the end of March. You still shouldn’t fret, because Orbis emergency emergence surveys will be available to stop you from going batty because of bats.