New edition of Bat Surveys Good Practice Guidelines to come

Following our consultation requesting feedback about the 2^nd edition of Bat Surveys Good Practice Guidelines, which closed at the end of summer 2013, we are aiming to publish a 3^rd edition in winter 2014/2015. Thank-you to those who have provided feedback; your comments will be invaluable in the production of a 3^rd edition. Jan Collins, our Head of Biodiversity, will be amending and updating the document in the coming months and is inviting together an editorial board for review of the document before publication. We hope that the editorial board will consist of the 2^nd edition authors (who represent BCT, NRW, ALGE and ecological consultancies) plus representatives from NE, SNH, CIEEM and an LPA (to be confirmed). The content of the wind farms chapter will be informed by the results of the Exeter University National Bats and Wind Turbines project, which is due for publication in summer 2014. Content relating to tree surveys will be informed by the British Standard for Trees and Woodlands, which is due for publication in autumn 2014. The major infrastructure chapter will be extended and improved and we also aim to include a new chapter on invasive survey techniques for bats, the authors of which are currently being identified. Overall, we are aware that the intended audience needs to be made clearer, the document needs updating, the structure and flow need to be improved and inconsistencies need to be removed. If you have any comments or queries please contact Jan Collins on jcollins@bats.org.uk.