Are bats present or absent at a location?

Knowing this provides us with information about the relative value of specific areas for bats

Information can be used in environmental assessment for planning and land use changes

Who might provide records?

Anyone who sees bats flying in their garden, has a roost in their house or finds an injured bat

People taking part in bat walks. EBG members carrying out surveys

Where in Essex do bats roost, hibernate and feed?

Knowing these facts will improve our undersanding of bat ecology

Sites that might need special protection can be identified

Who might provide records?

Householders, builders, rangers, church wardens, licenced bat workers, EBG members carring out surveys, members of the public who do the National Sunrise Survey

How are bat numbers changing over time?

Surveying and recording over many years will help to identify how well bats are surviving

Population declines and potential threats can be identified early

Who might provide records?

This involves repeated counts at summer maternity roosts and hibernation sites. Remember only licenced bat workers can count in hibernation sites, but EBG members, roost owners and anyone else can help with colony counts