We recently started a new project on 60 acres of formerly developed land that is now a long-abandoned industrial site. In the time the site has been vacant, foliage has grown, making it a potential nesting place for bats. Since some of these species might be endangered, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Alabama Ecological Services hold those clearing land to a different standard to protect these species. For these reasons, we used a contractor to determine which bat populations were present and the best way to minimize disturbances.
It’s called a “summer bat acoustical survey.” The surveyors we hired placed high-frequency omni-directional microphones strategically throughout the site. When the bats call out, their sound is unique to their species. Over the course of three nights, they tracked the sounds bats were emitting, and a qualified biologist reviewed the recordings. They were able to determine that while bats were present, the endangered species were not among them.
It’s all about being respectful for habitat and following the law while getting the site ready for grading.