Ryevitalise Landscape Partnership - 2018 Bat Surveys, inc. data analysis & habitat recommendations

The purpose of this brief is to seek the services of a suitably experienced ecological surveyor to; - undertake a desk-based study to collate existing information about bat distribution and activity levels and important habitat features in summer roosting and foraging areas to identify Priority Bat Areas within the Ryevitalise Landscape Partnership scheme area. - develop a detailed methodology to carry out a bat survey across the Bat Priority Areas within the scheme area in order to provide base line data for the project on distribution and activity levels for all bat species at summer habitats, ensuring that this uses robust and repeatable methods and protocols. - undertake bat surveys in the 2018 survey season following the agreed methodology. - In addition, surveyors will be required to record on site issues, provide suggestions for improved management for the benefit of bats, and raise awareness of bats with land managers where appropriate. The second purpose of the brief is for the appointed consultant to undertake a survey to confirm the distribution and status of the Alcathoe bat within the Ryevitalise Project area and to understand this species' ecology. This would include recommendations to inform practical conservation actions at key sites for this species (this work can of course be incorporated into the point above). We also require suggestions on further research that would assist the development of a conservation strategy. It is also expected that the appointed consultant will suggest how their methods and protocols could be adapted to make them suitable for citizen science, to be used in future monitoring during the delivery phase of the Ryevitalise scheme.