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Coastal Sheath-tailed Bat (Taphozous australis)

The Coastal Sheath-tailed Bat is a small to medium insectivorous microbat of coastal northern Australia. On works sites, roosts in caves, rocky clefts, mines, bunkers and similar structures can be damaged or disturbed by clearing, access works and construction. It is listed as Near Threatened in Queensland and is treated as a colonial breeder, so a roost where young are raised is a protected breeding place under Queensland wildlife management requirements.

Conservation status

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Near threatened.

Breeding behaviour, All states and territories: Colonial breeder. Breeds in colonies or shared roosts, so one breeding place can hold a large share of the local population. In Queensland, its EVNT listing already means a high risk species management program applies to breeding places.

Breeding season

Coastal Sheathtail Bats breed in Australia from autumn to spring. Breeding timing is documented mainly for Queensland, and winter activity can vary between northern and southern roosts.

Breeding mode: Colonial breeder. Females may gather in maternity roosts, and young are raised in shared roosts.

Breeding period: Breeding starts in April and stops in September. Pregnant females, females with attached young and nursing females with crèched young have been recorded from September to January.

Litter size: Not recorded. General microbat guidance indicates that most species produce one pup per year, but this has not been confirmed specifically for the Coastal Sheathtail Bat.

Gestation: Not recorded.

Young and development: Young are born from September to November and are large by January. Exact fledging and weaning dates are not recorded.

Breeding places: Maternity roosts are likely to be within the species' usual roosts, including sea caves, rocky clefts, disused mines, boulder piles, rock fissures, concrete bunkers and, occasionally, buildings. A breeding place is confirmed by pregnant or lactating females, attached young or pups.

Colony size and care: Colonies usually contain up to 25 bats, with colonies of up to 100 recorded. Bats generally hang separately, often up to 20 cm apart, although small winter groups may huddle. Site fidelity is poorly documented. Treat all occupied coastal roosts as sensitive, especially during the maternity period.

Timing can vary between years and regions, particularly between northern and southern coastal roosts, so check roost occupancy and breeding condition before clearing or construction.

  • Breeding and mating: Breeding starts in April and continues through September, although the timing of mating within this period is not documented separately.
  • Births and maternity roost use: Young are born from September to November, and pregnant or nursing females may be present through January.
  • Dependent young and crèching: Females with attached young or nursing crèched young have been recorded from September to January, with young large by January.
  • Nocturnal foraging and roost use: The species is nocturnally active and forages above the canopy, with surveys generally more effective during the warmer months from September to April.
  • Winter torpor, huddling or reduced detectability: Winter groups may huddle, and the species probably hibernates in winter; colonies in the Central Queensland Coast Bioregion may be undetectable during winter.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing, demolition or disturbance is most likely to harm maternity colonies, pups and dependent young from September to January, and occupied roosts should be protected at all times.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Coastal Sheath-tailed Bat is a fast flying, insect eating bat with a distinctive tail membrane. Identification in the roost or from calls alone can be difficult, so capture and examination may be needed.

Fur is grey brown and slightly lighter on the belly. The lower abdomen may have an olive tinge.

The tail projects through the upper surface of the tail membrane. The wing tips fold above the rest of the wing when the bat is resting.

Both sexes have a pouch near the wrist. Males have a well developed throat pouch. The female throat pouch is smaller and may appear as a rudimentary ridge.

Weight: 19 to 23 g

Forearm: 61 to 68 mm

Head and body: Up to 90 mm

Tail: 20 to 30 mm

Identification: Calls and similar species

Echolocation calls are flat or slightly sloped, with a characteristic frequency of 23 to 27 kHz.

Calls cannot reliably separate this species from Troughton's Sheath-tailed Bat or Beccari's Free-tailed Bat. The Coastal Sheath-tailed Bat also cannot be distinguished visually from Troughton's Sheath-tailed Bat when both are resting in a roost.

Troughton's Sheath-tailed Bat is larger, with a forearm length of 67 to 76 mm, and lacks the throat pouch. Capture and examination of several bats may be needed for a confident identification.

  • Use an Anabat or similar detector to identify bat activity and likely roost use.
  • Do not rely on an acoustic record alone to confirm this species.
  • Arrange appropriate permits and an experienced bat ecologist for capture work.

Identification: Field signs

Look beneath ledges, cave walls, rock fissures, bunker roofs and other sheltered surfaces for droppings or concentrated debris. Droppings beneath an occupied roost can help locate a sheltering group, but they do not confirm the species.

A bat odour, staining or scattered droppings may indicate repeated use. These signs can be faint, especially in open, well ventilated roosts.

The species does not build nests. Whitewash is not a reliable diagnostic sign for this bat.

  • Bats emerging at dusk from a fissure, cave, mine, bunker or building feature.
  • Fresh droppings directly below a crevice or ledge.
  • A sheltered, warm or humid cavity with repeated bat activity.

Distribution: Australian range

The Coastal Sheath-tailed Bat has a narrow coastal distribution. It is strongly associated with coastal roosts and may be unevenly distributed across its range.

The detailed known range is along the Queensland coast from Shoalwater Bay, north of Rockhampton, through Cape York Peninsula to Moa Island in the Torres Strait. The species usually occurs within a few kilometres of the coast.

It occurs on numerous coastal islands. Island roosting bats have been observed flying to the mainland to forage.

The species is mapped in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. The most detailed records and guidance relate to the Queensland coastal population.

Queensland range: Shoalwater Bay to Cape York Peninsula and Moa Island

Inland extent: Usually no more than a few kilometres from the coast

Distribution: Overseas range

Outside Australia, the species is known from Papua New Guinea. Records are limited, including records from Port Moresby and along the Lower Strickland River.

Distribution: Site screening

Before clearing or construction, check whether the site is near rocky shores, islands, sea caves, mines, bunkers, rocky clefts or known roosts.

A site without a visible roost may still contain important foraging habitat or provide access between an island roost and mainland feeding areas.

  • Review local records and previous ecological reports.
  • Inspect coastal structures and landforms before machinery enters the site.
  • Consider nearby roosts when assessing lighting, noise, vegetation removal and access roads.

Habitat: Vegetation and landforms

This bat uses coastal lowlands, foothills and adjoining native vegetation. It needs suitable insect habitat near secure roosts, with access between the roost and feeding areas.

Potential habitat includes coastal dune scrubland, melaleuca swamps, open eucalypt forest, grasslands, coastal heathland, monsoon forest and mangroves.

Look for habitat along rocky foreshores, coastal peninsulas, island margins, wetlands and low foothills. Coastal vegetation may remain important even where no bats are found roosting on the project footprint.

  • Dune scrub and coastal heath.
  • Melaleuca swamps and other wet lowlands.
  • Open eucalypt forest and grassland.
  • Mangroves and monsoon forest.

Habitat: Features that increase habitat value

Habitat value is higher where native vegetation is connected to caves, rocky clefts, boulder piles, fissures, mines, bunkers or other sheltered structures.

Small coastal islands may support roosts even when their available feeding area is limited. Bats may commute to the mainland or along the coast to forage.

  • Continuous native vegetation between the coast and inland feeding areas.
  • Wetlands, mangroves and flowering or insect rich vegetation.
  • Dark movement routes between roosts and foraging areas.

Habitat: Site assessment

Map roost features, vegetation clearing, water features, lighting and proposed access routes together. Assess habitat beyond the clearing boundary where works may alter bat movement or insect availability.

Where the location of important feeding areas is uncertain, radio telemetry may be needed to track movements from a known roost.

Foraging habitat: Foraging areas

The Coastal Sheath-tailed Bat catches insects in flight, generally above the canopy. It has fast, direct flight and may make rapid changes in direction or height while hunting.

Foraging occurs over coastal dune scrub, melaleuca swamps, open eucalypt forest, grasslands, coastal heathland, monsoon forest and mangroves.

The species forages less than 3 km inland from the coast. It may travel up to 15 km up or down the coast from a roost.

  • Above the canopy and along vegetation edges.
  • Over wetlands, swamps and mangroves.
  • Across open coastal forest, grassland and heathland.
  • Around lights in urban areas next to native vegetation.

Foraging habitat: Works that can affect feeding habitat

Clearing, draining or fragmenting coastal vegetation can reduce feeding habitat. Artificial light may alter movement, insect behaviour and use of dark flight paths.

Noise, traffic and temporary work lighting should be assessed where works occur between a roost and nearby feeding areas.

  • Retain native vegetation links where practicable.
  • Avoid unnecessary night lighting near roosts and coastal vegetation.
  • Use downward directed, shielded lighting and switch off temporary lights when they are not required.

Foraging habitat: Survey considerations

Detector surveys can show bat activity but cannot confirm this species because its calls overlap with other bats. A roost search is often more useful, followed by capture at a cave entrance where species confirmation is required.

Surveying is generally more productive in warmer months, from September to April, particularly in the southern part of the range.

Breeding habitat: Breeding timing

Pregnant females may gather in shared maternity roosts. Any roost where young are raised should be treated as a breeding place and protected from disturbance, even when bats are temporarily absent.

Breeding starts around April and stops around September. Young are born from September to November and are large by January.

Pregnant females, females with attached young and females nursing crèched young may be present from September to January. Most microbats give birth to one pup during the warmer months, but the species specific litter size should not be assumed without confirmation.

Likely maternity period: September to January

Young observed: September to November, with young large by January

Breeding habitat: What a maternity roost looks like

A maternity roost may be a cave, rocky cleft, mine, bunker, fissure or another secure structure with suitable temperature, humidity and protection from predators.

Pregnant or lactating females, pups, females carrying young and repeated adult activity are strong evidence of a breeding place. Look for bats deep in cavities, fresh droppings below occupied features and regular emergence at dusk.

  • Inspect safely with an endoscope or pole camera where the cavity allows.
  • Use an emergence watch to record the number, timing and direction of bats leaving.
  • Do not enter a confined roost or handle bats without appropriate training, permits and disease controls.

Breeding habitat: Managing breeding places

Treat a confirmed or suspected maternity roost as a no disturbance area until a bat ecologist has assessed it and the relevant approvals are in place.

Do not seal, demolish, illuminate or modify a roost during the maternity period. For a Queensland colonial breeder, seek advice on the required species management program before tampering with a breeding place.

  • Plan works outside the maternity season where practicable.
  • Retain the roost structure and its access points.
  • Keep nearby feeding habitat and dark movement routes connected.
  • Record the roost location in the site environmental management plan.

Sheltering habitat: Roost types

During the day, the Coastal Sheath-tailed Bat shelters in coastal structures that provide protection and suitable microclimate. Roosts may be warm and humid in the north, or cooler and more airy in the south.

Known roosts include sea caves, rocky clefts, rock fissures, boulder piles, disused mines and concrete bunkers. Buildings may also be used occasionally.

The species is not specifically associated with tree hollows, loose bark, culverts, bridges or bat boxes in the available species information. These features may shelter other microbats, so they should still be inspected where present on a project site.

  • Sea caves and rocky foreshores.
  • Rock fissures, clefts and boulder piles.
  • Disused mines and concrete bunkers.
  • Occasionally, buildings and other secure structures.

Sheltering habitat: Roost conditions

Northern roosts may be 26 to 28 degrees Celsius with humidity of 84 to 92 per cent. In the southern part of the range, cave roosts can be cooler than outside air and may be airy.

In the Central Queensland Coast Bioregion, the species uses airy boulder sea caves with multiple openings. These sites are on rocky foreshores of peninsulas and less than 50 m from the Highest Astronomical Tide.

Sheltering habitat: Roost inspection and exclusion

Inspect cavities, ledges, cracks and roof spaces before demolition, blasting, rock removal or structural repairs. Use an endoscope or pole camera where a direct view is not possible.

If a structure must be modified, use a staged approach designed by a bat ecologist. Exclusion devices should only be installed outside the maternity season and after checks confirm that young are not dependent on the roost.

Never block a cavity without confirming that bats can leave and are not trapped inside.

  • Conduct an emergence watch at dusk where occupancy is uncertain.
  • Use soft or staged removal methods for features that may contain bats.
  • Consider bat boxes only as a supplementary measure. They do not replace a natural or established roost.

Colonies and breeding places: Colony size and spacing

The Coastal Sheath-tailed Bat is a colonial breeder. Colonies may be small, but a single cave or shelter can support a substantial share of the local population and may be used repeatedly.

Colonies usually contain up to 25 bats, although colonies of up to 100 have been recorded. Large caves may hold larger mixed bat assemblages, while smaller shelters support smaller colonies.

Bats generally hang separately, often up to 20 cm apart. Small groups may huddle in winter. In some roosts, individuals are 10 to 150 cm apart.

Usual colony size: Up to 25 individuals

Recorded colony size: Up to 100 individuals

Typical spacing: Often up to 20 cm apart, with wider spacing also recorded

Colonies and breeding places: Recognising an active colony

Signs include bats visible on roost surfaces, fresh droppings beneath cracks or ledges, repeated emergence at dusk and regular return flights after feeding.

A colony can be missed during a daytime inspection if bats are deep in a fissure or if the roost has multiple entrances. Southern colonies may be undetectable in winter, so absence during a single visit does not confirm that a roost is unused.

  • Watch the entrance from before sunset until emergence activity has finished.
  • Inspect all entrances, roof spaces, cracks and adjoining shelters.
  • Repeat the assessment in a warmer period if the first inspection is inconclusive.

Colonies and breeding places: Site fidelity and linked roosts

The species depends on coastal roosts, and colonies may be linked to nearby feeding areas and other roosts. Protecting one entrance is not enough if works remove access to adjoining cavities or alter the surrounding coastal habitat.

Specific rates of return to individual roosts are not established. Manage known roosts as potentially important year round, even when bats are not visible.

  • Map all entrances and nearby alternative shelters.
  • Retain roost access, ventilation and the surrounding rock or structure.
  • Avoid vibration, blasting, lighting and repeated human visitation near occupied colonies.

Colonies and breeding places: Why colonies need special care

A maternity colony brings females together to raise young. Disturbance can cause bats to abandon a roost, interrupt feeding or expose pups to heat, cold or predators.

Queensland guidance treats microbats as colonial breeders during the breeding season. A roost where young are raised is a breeding place, even if it is empty when works begin.

  • Get specialist advice before altering a suspected colony site.
  • Use a species management program where Queensland requirements apply.
  • Keep workers, vehicles and lighting away from entrances during the approved exclusion period.

Threats: Roost destruction and disturbance

Most development risks arise from losing or disturbing coastal roosts and the vegetation used for feeding. Plan early, because a roost may be difficult to replace once a cave, fissure or bunker has been damaged.

Mining, quarrying, rock removal, blasting, cave visitation and coastal construction can destroy or disturb roosts. Demolition or repair of bunkers, buildings, mines, bridges and other structures may also remove shelter.

Noise, vibration, dust, lighting and repeated visits can affect bats even when the roost structure remains.

  • Avoid works at cave, fissure, mine, bunker and boulder pile entrances.
  • Fence or otherwise protect confirmed roosts from machinery and casual access.
  • Use a pre works inspection and a stop work procedure for unexpected bats.

Threats: Loss of feeding habitat

Clearing, sand mining, coastal development, agriculture and land degradation can reduce insect rich habitat. Draining wetlands and removing mangroves, melaleuca vegetation, heath and open forest may reduce feeding opportunities.

A development can affect the species through feeding habitat loss even when no roost is found inside the work area.

  • Minimise clearing and retain connected native vegetation.
  • Protect wetlands, mangroves, swamps and coastal forest.
  • Assess offsite habitat used by bats commuting from nearby islands or roosts.

Threats: Light, traffic and barriers

Artificial light can alter movement, hunting and roost use. Traffic noise may interfere with echolocation and prey detection, while roads and vehicle movements can create collision risks.

Avoid creating bright gaps between roosts and feeding areas. Maintain dark vegetation corridors where practicable.

  • Use shielded, downward directed lights with the lowest practical intensity.
  • Avoid lighting cave entrances, rocky foreshores and known flight paths.
  • Schedule high noise and high traffic activities away from sensitive roost periods where practicable.

Threats: Unplanned bat encounters

Stop work if bats are found in a cavity, under a roof, in a culvert, bridge feature, building or rock shelter that was not assessed. Do not handle bats unless trained and authorised.

Contact the project ecologist to assess occupancy, breeding status and the required approval pathway. Record the location, structure, number of bats and time of observation.

  • Keep workers and machinery clear of the feature.
  • Do not seal or relocate bats without specialist direction.
  • Review the clearing and construction method before work resumes.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Survey the coastal sheathtail bat by locating and checking roosts, then confirming species identity where needed. Plan surveys around the warmer months, when colonies and breeding activity are more likely to be detected.

Map caves, rocky clefts, boulder piles, rock fissures, mines, concrete bunkers, buildings and coastal infrastructure within and near the work area.

Check rocky shores, islands, coastal vegetation, wetlands and other foraging habitat. The species usually forages close to the coast, above the canopy, and may travel up to 15 km along the coast from a roost.

Review records of known roosts and previous survey results. Treat a known roost as potentially occupied even when bats are not seen during one visit.

Typical roost colony size: Usually up to 25 bats, with colonies up to 100 recorded.

Known range: A narrow coastal zone from Shoalwater Bay through Cape York Peninsula to Moa Island, with little inland extension.

  • Identify work that could alter a roost, remove hollow bearing vegetation, affect coastal foraging habitat, or increase lighting and noise near a roost.
  • Plan access to caves and islands safely. A boat may be needed for nearshore surveys.
  • Engage a suitably experienced ecologist where the species cannot be separated from Troughton’s sheathtail bat or Beccari’s free tailed bat by sight or call alone.

Survey methodology: 2. Roost searches and emergence watches

Search likely roosts during the day for bats, droppings, staining, odour, feeding remains, noise and suitable cavities. Inspect rock fissures, cave ceilings, ledges, mines, bunkers, buildings and bridge or culvert features where relevant.

Use an endoscope or pole camera only where this can be done safely and without disturbing bats. Do not enter unsafe caves, mines or unstable structures.

Undertake emergence watches at likely roost entrances from before sunset until bat activity has reduced. Record the number of bats, emergence direction, timing, weather and any movement between roosts and nearby habitat.

Survey period: Surveys are generally most useful from September to April. Colonies may be undetectable during winter in the Central Queensland Coast Bioregion.

Roost conditions: Northern roosts may be warm and humid, around 26 to 28 degrees Celsius and 84 to 92 per cent humidity.

  • Repeat searches where a roost is likely to be important, difficult to inspect, or occupied by only a few bats.
  • Use acoustic detectors as a supporting method. Record detector type, location, time, weather and call files.
  • Treat acoustic results as indicative only. Calls cannot reliably separate the coastal sheathtail bat from similar species.

Survey methodology: 3. Capture and identification

Use harp traps or mist nets only under the direction of an appropriately authorised and experienced bat ecologist. Place equipment at cave entrances or other suitable flight paths, where the species is more likely to be captured.

Keep capture time short and release bats promptly. Take only the measurements and photographs needed for identification and compliance records.

Confirm identity from captured animals where visual and acoustic identification is inconclusive. The coastal sheathtail bat is similar to Troughton’s sheathtail bat, and several captured bats may be enough to establish which species is present.

Diagnostic measurements: Weight is about 19 to 23 g and forearm length is about 61 to 68 mm.

Breeding observations: Females may be heavily pregnant, have attached young, or be nursing crèched young from September to January.

  • Record sex, reproductive condition, weight, forearm length, pouch features, capture location and release location.
  • Look for pregnant or lactating females and pups. These observations help confirm a maternity roost.
  • Avoid relying on mist nets set away from roost entrances. This species can be difficult to catch except at the cave entrance.

Survey methodology: 4. Survey effort and reporting

Set survey effort according to the number and accessibility of potential roosts, the scale of the work and the consequences of disturbance. Increase effort where a colony, maternity roost or threatened habitat may be affected.

Record the survey date, start and finish times, tidal and weather conditions, observers, equipment, access limitations, roost features, bat numbers, species determination and photographs or call files.

Map all occupied and potential roosts, flight paths, nearby foraging habitat and proposed disturbance areas. Clearly identify uncertainty and recommend further work where species identity or occupancy remains unresolved.

  • Record whether bats were roosting separately or in small winter groups.
  • Document any evidence of repeated use, such as fresh droppings, staining, odour, noise or repeated emergence activity.
  • Provide the project manager with a map showing no go areas, proposed buffers, monitoring points and access controls.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and permits

Avoid roosts and maternity sites wherever practicable. Before clearing or construction, confirm the approvals pathway, inspect all potential roosts and brief every person who may encounter bats.

Check whether the action may affect a nationally listed species or a place used for breeding. Consider an EPBC Act referral where the action could have a significant impact on the species, its habitat or an important breeding place.

In Queensland, obtain current advice from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation before disturbing a colony, roost or breeding place. The coastal sheathtail bat is a colonial breeder for management purposes.

Where a Queensland activity tampers with a breeding place, arrange the required species management program. Colonial breeders may require the higher risk SMP pathway rather than the low risk pathway used for other least concern animals.

  • Confirm any Queensland Nature Conservation Act approvals, permits, authorities and SMP conditions before work starts.
  • Check the relevant approval and permit requirements in New South Wales and Western Australia where work is proposed in those jurisdictions.
  • Keep copies of approvals, conditions, maps and contact details on site. Do not rely on a general fauna licence to authorise disturbance of a breeding place.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Colonies and breeding places

A colony may occupy a sea cave, rocky cleft, rock fissure, boulder pile, mine, bunker or building. Colonies may be small, with up to 25 bats commonly recorded and up to 100 recorded, while larger caves can support larger mixed microbat aggregations.

Pregnant females may roost together. A roost becomes a breeding place when young are raised there, including a maternity roost that is temporarily unoccupied between breeding periods.

Site fidelity and roost switching are poorly understood for this species. Treat a known or previously occupied roost as important, even if no bats are visible on the day.

  • Look for pregnant or lactating females, pups, attached young, crèching young, fresh droppings and repeated emergence activity.
  • Protect the whole roost feature, not only the exact place where bats are seen. Include entrances, cracks, ledges, access routes and nearby flight paths.
  • Do not assume that a small colony has low conservation value. A small maternity group may represent a substantial part of a local population.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Pre clearance survey and timing

Complete the final pre clearance survey shortly before work begins. Recheck caves, fissures, boulder piles, mines, bunkers, buildings, culverts, bridges and any hollow bearing trees or loose bark that may be used by microbats.

Schedule roost disturbance outside the breeding period where possible. For this species, breeding starts around April, young are born from September to November, and females with young may be present from September to January.

Use extra caution from September to January. Avoid disturbance of a maternity roost during this period unless authorised and supported by a site specific management plan.

  • Survey in warmer months, generally September to April, when occupancy is more likely to be detected.
  • Use emergence watches and, where suitable, capture at the roost entrance to confirm occupancy and species identity.
  • Stop and seek ecological advice if a previously unknown roost or colony is found during the final inspection.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Exclusion, buffers and crew induction

Use avoidance as the first option. Establish a no entry area around each active roost and keep plant, vehicles, lights, generators and noisy work outside the approved buffer.

Set the buffer from the roost feature, entrances and likely flight paths. Use the project ecologist and approval conditions to determine the distance, as a single species wide distance is not available for this bat.

If exclusion is approved, install a one way device only outside the maternity season and only after confirming that no bats, pups or dependent young remain inside.

  • Never seal a cave, fissure, mine, bunker, building, bridge or culvert while bats may be inside.
  • Use two stage or soft felling for hollow bearing trees where microbat use is possible. Retain the tree overnight where safe, then inspect and fell it in sections under fauna spotter catcher supervision.
  • Induct all workers on roost features, colony status, stop work authority, handling restrictions, lighting controls and the procedure for reporting a bat.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Clear in stages and keep a qualified fauna spotter catcher in control of fauna responses. Work must stop when a roost, colony, breeding place or injured bat is found in an unexpected location.

Mark the approved clearing limits and no go areas before plant enters the site. Clear low risk vegetation first, then work towards retained habitat and roost buffers.

Use two stage or soft felling for hollow bearing trees. Remove non hollow limbs first where safe, retain the hollow section overnight where practicable, and inspect it before final placement or removal.

Keep escape routes open and avoid directing bats towards traffic, open water, active machinery or bright lights.

  • Use hand tools or low impact methods near cracks, hollows, loose bark, culverts, bridge joints and other potential roost features.
  • Do not fell, demolish, seal or modify a potential roost until it has been inspected and cleared by an authorised person.
  • Reduce night lighting near roost entrances and use directed, low spill lighting where work cannot be avoided.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop work and fauna response

The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop work immediately. Stop work if bats are seen, heard or found in a cavity, or if fresh signs indicate an occupied roost.

Secure the area and keep workers, plant and the public away. Contact the project ecologist and approval holder before restarting.

If an active breeding place or maternity roost is found, do not enter, exclude, relocate or seal it. Protect the roost and follow the approved SMP, permit and species management plan.

  • Record the exact location, roost feature, bat numbers, life stages, behaviour and photographs where this can be done without disturbance.
  • Reassess the buffer, work method, timing and approval conditions before work resumes.
  • Treat pups, attached young and lactating females as a high priority for protection.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Handling and injured animals

Only authorised and trained people may handle bats. Use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow the project disease and bite exposure procedure.

Do not pick up a bat with bare hands. Keep a grounded bat quiet, dark and contained in a suitable secure container while advice is obtained.

Contact a registered wildlife carer, veterinarian or the relevant wildlife authority for an injured bat. Do not release an injured, cold, wet or unresponsive bat without professional advice.

  • Do not separate a pup from its mother unless directed by a bat carer or veterinarian.
  • Record the finder, time, location, condition, species determination, actions taken and destination of the animal.
  • Report any bite or scratch immediately and follow workplace medical advice.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Site records and communication

Maintain a daily fauna register. Include all animals seen, handled, released, injured or found dead, together with the response and people involved.

Map the limits of clearing, retained roosts, exclusion devices, release points and any changed work areas.

Notify the project manager, fauna ecologist and approval holder of any breach, unexpected roost, colony, mortality or disturbance event.

  • Keep copies of permits, SMP conditions, inductions, toolbox records and stop work notifications.
  • Photograph roost features and exclusion devices before work and after any change.
  • Do not restart work until the fauna ecologist confirms that the revised controls meet approval conditions.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post clearance inspection

Check the work area after clearing and after any roost treatment. Confirm that no bats, pups or injured animals remain in the disturbance footprint, and review every incident before the next stage of work.

Inspect felled hollow sections, demolished structures, bridge components, culverts and work areas for bats, pups, carcasses and signs of occupation.

Repeat an emergence watch where a roost was retained, modified or subject to nearby disturbance. Check that exclusion devices remain secure and allow bats to leave safely.

Remove temporary barriers only when the ecologist confirms that the area is safe and approval conditions have been met.

  • Check cavities and hollow sections with an endoscope or pole camera where safe.
  • Search the ground, stockpiles, machinery and retained vegetation for grounded or trapped bats.
  • Record the inspection date, personnel, weather, findings, photographs and any corrective action.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Relocated or rescued animals

Release recovered bats only when they are alert, physically sound, and the release has been approved by the responsible ecologist or wildlife carer.

Use a release location near suitable roosting and foraging habitat, away from traffic, bright lights, active plant and domestic animals. Avoid moving bats long distances unless directed by the relevant authority.

Do not relocate a colony or maternity group as a routine measure. First seek advice on whether the roost can be retained, the timing changed, or the work redesigned.

  • Record the release location, time, method, species determination and condition of each animal.
  • Use a wildlife carer or veterinarian for pups, lactating females, injured bats or animals that cannot fly.
  • Check the release area for suitable shelter and safe access before release.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained roosts and nearby habitat where work affected a known colony, maternity roost, cave entrance, bunker, bridge, culvert or other important feature.

Use the methods suited to the site, such as roost inspections, emergence watches, acoustic recording and repeat capture at a cave entrance where authorised.

Set the monitoring period and triggers through the approval, SMP or site management plan. Increase monitoring if bats abandon a roost, mortality occurs or construction changes the roost microclimate.

  • Compare bat numbers, emergence activity, roost use and signs of breeding with the pre work baseline.
  • Report monitoring results to the approval holder and relevant regulator where required.
  • Keep records long enough to support future work near the site and long term population monitoring.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Review every unexpected roost discovery, injury, mortality, exclusion failure and approval breach before the next work stage.

Identify the immediate cause, the control that failed, the people who need further induction and any design or timing change required.

Update the fauna management plan, maps, risk assessment and emergency contacts after the review.

  • Hold a short site meeting with the project manager, fauna spotter catcher, ecologist and supervisor.
  • Share lessons with all crews working on coastal structures, caves, vegetation and night operations.
  • Record close out actions and nominate a person responsible for each action.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Roost and habitat restoration

Restore coastal roosting and foraging habitat wherever work has removed or degraded it. Retain natural roost features first, and use artificial structures only where their design and location suit local bat use.

Retain sea caves, rocky clefts, rock fissures, boulder piles, mines, bunkers and suitable buildings wherever practicable. Do not fill cracks, smooth rough surfaces, seal access points or alter airflow without ecological advice.

Reinstate disturbed rock and boulder features where this can be done safely and without blocking an occupied roost.

Restore coastal dune scrubland, melaleuca swamp, open eucalypt forest, grassland, coastal heathland, monsoon forest and mangrove habitat near retained roosts.

  • Use local native species suited to the soil, salt exposure and coastal setting.
  • Protect restored areas from vehicles, stock, fire impacts and further compaction.
  • Keep links between roosts and nearby foraging habitat open.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Replacement roost structures

Do not assume that a standard nest box will replace a sea cave, rocky cleft, mine, bunker or fissure used by the coastal sheathtail bat.

Consider bat boxes or purpose built roost structures only after advice from a bat ecologist. Design them for the local temperature, humidity, cavity size, access and predator protection requirements.

Use replacement structures as supplementary habitat, not as a reason to remove an occupied natural roost or maternity site.

  • Install structures before disturbance where approved, and monitor them for occupancy.
  • Place structures near suitable coastal foraging habitat and away from excessive artificial light, vibration and human visitation.
  • Record the design, materials, location, installation date and maintenance requirements.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Vegetation, weeds and water

Replant cleared coastal vegetation and protect naturally regenerating areas around roosts and flight paths.

Control weeds without contaminating caves, fissures, waterways or foraging areas. Use methods that avoid night disturbance and minimise insect prey loss.

Protect wetlands, melaleuca swamps, mangroves, drainage lines and other damp habitats that support insect prey.

  • Use staged weed control so that shelter and connectivity remain available while restoration establishes.
  • Prevent erosion and sediment movement into coastal wetlands and waterways.
  • Avoid removing mature trees, loose bark and hollow bearing trees unless the approved design requires it.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Lighting and long term monitoring

Design lighting so that roost entrances, flight paths and nearby foraging habitat remain dark. Use the lowest practical intensity, shields, timers and directional fittings.

Monitor restored habitat, retained roosts and replacement structures during the warmer months when bat activity is more likely to be detected.

Use emergence watches, roost inspections, acoustic recording and authorised capture where identification is necessary.

Preferred monitoring season: September to April, with particular attention to September to January when breeding activity may be present.

  • Record occupancy, colony size, breeding signs, roost condition, lighting changes and nearby development.
  • Review monitoring results and repair or redesign artificial structures that are unused, unsafe or unsuitable.
  • Maintain a long term record of roost locations and management actions to guide future clearing and construction.

Sources