An intensive in-person course combining classroom learning, field exercises and a practical report-writing assignment to develop the skills required to progress from a beginner bat surveyor to undertaking more advanced survey design, impact assessment and mitigation planning.
This course focuses on understanding how bat survey data is used in professional ecological assessments and introduces key considerations for development projects, licensing, impact assessment, designing mitigation and monitoring, and survey reporting.
Course Suitability
This course is designed for individuals who already have experience carrying out bat surveys and wish to develop their professional skills further.
To attend this course, you must have completed one of the following:
- Bat Conservation Ireland’s Bat Surveying for Beginners – Part 1 & Part 2 course and at least one field season of bat survey experience; OR
- A previous Bat Conservation Ireland two-day bat survey course and at least one field season of bat survey experience; OR
- At least one complete season of bat fieldwork under the mentorship of a competent bat ecologist.
This course is not suitable for beginners.
Course Details and Price
Intermediate Level Bat Surveyor (In-person Classroom & Fieldwork)
€575 per person (non-members)
€545per person (BCIreland members)
Option 1
Location: Cong Community Crossroads Centre, Cong, Co Mayo
Dates: 27 & 28 August 2026
Times: 1pm (light lunch on arrival) – 1pm the next day
Option 2
Location: Netterville Institute, Dowth, Co Meath
Dates: 3 & 4 September 2026
Times: 1pm (light lunch on arrival) – 1pm the next day
What’s included
The course fee includes:
- Light lunch on arrival
- Tea/coffee breaks
- A copy of An Identification Guide to Ireland’s Bats
- Certificate of Completion
- For participants at our Meath/Netterville course – an evening meal is included for attendees.
Course Format
The course combines:
- Approximately 6 hours of classroom-based learning
- 2-3 hours of practical evening fieldwork exercises
- A mock bat survey
- Survey design exercises
- Data interpretation and assessment
- Report writing assignment
Course Delivery
This course will be led by Bat Conservation Ireland staff ecologists. This is a non-residential, two-day course.
Course content
Classroom lectures & Fieldwork
- What are the Threats to Bats?
- Impact Assessment and Mitigation for Bats
- Legislation and Licensing for Bat Surveys and Derogations in Republic of Ireland
- Onshore Renewable Energy and Bats
- Designing post-development monitoring
- Data Analysis – how to build an assessment of activity based on data
- Health and Safety & Biosecurity
- Fieldwork: Day-time reconnaissance of a specific field site, identifying potential bat habitat and roost features
- Design a Survey for the Site: What Elements need to be included in Report?
- Fieldwork: Mock Bat Survey of a Site
Assessment
Participants must complete a post-course assignment consisting of:
- Assessment of a field site
- Analysis of survey findings
- Impact assessment
- Mitigation recommendations
- Professional-style report writing
Reports must be submitted within 21 days of the field course.
Successful participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Please Note
- Participants should be prepared for outdoor fieldwork after classroom sessions.
- Places are limited to 20 participants.
Register to attend this course
BCIreland Members please note: Our training platform is separate from the Bat Conservation Ireland membership website.
You’ll just need to create a quick account here to book and access your course—this only takes a minute.
To book your place register on our learning platform:
- Click the “Log In To Enroll” button above
- Click “Take This Course”
- Open the Course Content section
- Click “More Info, Booking Link and Terms & Conditions”
- Use the booking link to pay and reserve your place
For group or invoice bookings, please email [email protected].
