SWT Ecology Services

Who's that hiding under there? You may even be wondering whether there is anyone at all.  There is.  And it's the rare barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus).  This woodland specialist is very rare indeed although little is known about its current UK population size.  Within the UK it is mainly distributed in the south, west and central areas.  As a woodland specialist, it is particularly vulnerable to poor woodland management and loss of habitat.  Climate change is also a contributing factor to its decline.  This beautiful individual was found at Newlands Corner, when doing a hibernation check with the Surrey Bat [...]

The rare Bechstein's at Westhumble Whilst out and about trapping bats with Surrey Bat Group, we caught the rare Bechstein's (Myotis bechsteinii).  The UK population is estimated at 21,000 and it's distribution is mainly in southern England.  The bat was named after Johann Matthäus Bechstein, a German naturalist who lived from 1757 to 1822.  Even over 200 years ago, he was an activist for the protection of animals that were considered to be pests, such as bat species. Further information on the bat can be found here. “It’s been particularly challenging this year because of the unseasonably cold, [...]

Ecological Clerk of Works along M23 SWT Ecology Services has been providing valuable Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) services to Kier Infrastructure, supervising vegetation removal along the M23 to facilitate the transition to a smart motorway.  Over the course of a year we have identified over 100 badger sett entrances and are working closely with Kier to minimise impacts to these from the works.  This involves extensive monitoring using remote sensor camera traps, regular field visits and site inspections with a licensed badger ecologist.