Surveying Trees Training

Bat roosts in trees is an interesting subject that today still offers lots of opportunities to investigate and learn about. In April Nottinghamshire Bat Group hosted a training session with Tom Bennett with the aim to unveil the mysteries of roosts in trees. Tom is an Arboricultural Consultant and fully-licensed bat worker.


During the session, we familiarised ourselves with the different aspects of tree physiology and the formation of features that bats can use to settle their roost. We learned about the potential roost features and how different agents of disease and decay create them, from woodpecker holes to cracks that allow woodland bats to find shelter. Special mention to “Bat Roosts in Trees” handbook that was published last year by Bat Tree Habitat Key Project, that has become a main reference in the subject area, agglutinating the efforts of professional surveyors and amateur naturalists.

Following the training, we had the opportunity to test the new practical knowledge and inspect the trees in Wollaton Park, using endoscopes and torches from the ground. Overall it was a fantastic opportunity to learn and gain awareness of the difficulties and constraints inherent to tree roosts.

Joan Nofrerias

Further reading:

Bat Roosts in Trees (BHTK) – A Guide to Identification and Assessment for Tree-Care and Ecology Professionals (2018) Pelagic Publishing.

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