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Eastern Broad-nosed Bat (Scotorepens orion)

The Eastern Broad-nosed Bat is a small to medium-sized insectivorous microbat found across eastern Australia, including New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Tree hollows, buildings and shared maternity roosts can be affected by clearing and construction, and colonies may hold a substantial part of the local population. It is not listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened in Australia, but it is protected, and in Queensland it is treated as a least concern colonial breeder for breeding-place management.

Conservation status

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Colonial breeder. Least concern in Queensland, but it breeds in colonies, so tampering with a breeding place needs a high risk species management program rather than the low risk program.

Breeding season

The Eastern Broad-nosed Bat is a poorly known colonial breeder. Births have been recorded in late November to early December, while the broader maternity period for Australian microbats generally extends through the warmer months, with timing varying between regions and years.

Breeding mode: Colonial breeder. Females may share maternity roosts, including roosts in tree hollows and buildings.

Litter size: One young has been recorded.

Birth timing: Late November to early December.

Breeding frequency: Microbats generally produce one pup per year. Species-specific confirmation is not recorded.

Gestation: Not recorded.

Fledging and weaning: Not recorded.

Colony and breeding-place checks: Species-specific colony sizes and site fidelity are not recorded. Treat hollow-bearing trees, buildings and other enclosed roosts as potential breeding places. An active maternity roost is indicated by pregnant or lactating females, pups, repeated emergence activity or bats returning to the same roost. Use acoustic detectors, emergence watches and, where safe and authorised, harp traps or mist nets. Inspect hollows with an endoscope or pole camera. Avoid direct handling of pups.

Seasonal timing may shift between coastal, inland and northern populations, including the discrete Atherton Tablelands population, and between years.

  • Breeding and births: Births are documented in late November to early December, with the wider breeding period inferred from the general pattern for Australian microbats.
  • Maternity roost use and dependent young: Plan for maternity roost use from spring through summer, especially around the documented November to December birth period.
  • Roosting and foraging activity: The species is expected to remain active year round, but no species-specific monthly activity pattern is established.
  • Maternity-roost sensitivity: Sensitivity rises during the warmer months when females may be raising young in shared roosts.
  • Highest clearing risk: The highest risk is from September to February, when clearing may disturb maternity colonies, pups or hollow-bearing roost trees.

Identification: Appearance and measurements

The Eastern Broad-nosed Bat is a stocky, dark brown vespertilionid bat. Field identification can be difficult, especially where small broad-nosed bats occur together, so use a suitably qualified ecologist for confirmation.

Adults weigh about 7 to 15 g. The forearm is 33 to 37 mm long.

The muzzle is broad and usually hairless, with a pug-like profile. There is no noseleaf. The feet are less than 10 mm long.

Body form: Small to medium-sized, stocky microbat

Colour: Dark brown

Forearm: 33 to 37 mm

Weight: About 7 to 15 g

Identification: Calls and similar species

Anabat or similar ultrasonic detectors can record this species, but call analysis should be undertaken by an experienced bat ecologist. Calls may not reliably separate all small broad-nosed bats in every area.

The Little Broad-nosed Bat, Scotorepens greyii, is smaller, with a forearm of 27 to 33 mm and a usual weight of 4 to 10 g. Vespadelus species can also look similar and may require skull, dental, genetic or other specialist characters for confirmation.

Identification: Field signs

Droppings may occur below a roost entrance or on ledges, beams and other sheltered surfaces. They are small, dark insectivore pellets and are not diagnostic on their own.

Look for repeated bat activity, droppings, urine staining, worn entry points and a bat odour around a suspected roost. Whitewash is more typical of birds and should not be treated as proof of a bat roost. Bats do not build nests.

  • Record the location, height, access points and surrounding hollow or building features.
  • Do not block an opening or handle a bat during initial inspection.
  • Use an endoscope or pole camera only where the inspection can be completed safely and without damaging the roost.

Distribution: Australian range

The Eastern Broad-nosed Bat occurs along the eastern side of Australia. Records extend from central Queensland to Melbourne, with a separate population on the Atherton Tablelands.

The species is associated with areas east of the Great Dividing Range. It occurs from around Rockhampton through eastern Queensland and New South Wales to Victoria and Melbourne.

It has been recorded in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. A discrete population occurs on the Atherton Tablelands, and individuals have also been recorded around Cairns.

  • Queensland, including the Cairns region and Atherton Tablelands
  • New South Wales, including the Sydney region and western slopes of the Great Dividing Range
  • Victoria, including areas towards Melbourne

Distribution: What the range means on a work site

A site does not need to be in continuous forest to support the species. Timbered urban areas, creek corridors, farmland and low density residential areas may still contain roosting or commuting habitat.

Treat connected vegetation, mature trees and hollow-bearing trees as potential habitat even where detector records are sparse.

  • Check trees and structures along creek lines and vegetated corridors.
  • Consider nearby habitat, not just the construction footprint.
  • Review local records and arrange targeted survey where hollow-bearing trees or suitable buildings will be affected.

Habitat: Vegetation communities

The species uses a broad range of wooded environments, from wet forest to more open and modified landscapes. Retain mature trees and links between wooded areas wherever practicable.

Habitat includes rainforest, tall wet forest, vine forest, low open forest and timbered urban areas. In New South Wales it also occurs in open forest on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range.

In the Sydney region, records include farmland, low density residential areas and creek lines on the Cumberland Plain, particularly where a moderate amount of tree cover remains.

  • Rainforest and tall wet forest
  • Vine forest and low open forest
  • Timbered urban areas and farmland with mature trees
  • Well vegetated creek and riparian corridors

Habitat: Site features to check

Prioritise mature trees, dead trees and trees with hollows, fissures or loose bark. Check structures near retained vegetation, including buildings, bridges, culverts and other enclosed spaces.

Sites with tall trees along creeks may provide a combination of roosting, commuting and feeding habitat.

  • Hollow-bearing trees, including trees with concealed hollows
  • Riparian vegetation and connected tree lines
  • Buildings or infrastructure adjoining forest, farmland or waterways
  • Lighting, noise and other construction pressures near potential roosts

Foraging habitat: Likely feeding settings

Little species-specific information is available on the Eastern Broad-nosed Bat's diet and feeding behaviour. As a microbat, it is expected to forage on flying insects and should be assessed in relation to nearby trees, waterways and open flight paths.

Records have been associated with well vegetated creeks and tall trees. The species also occurs in forest, rainforest, farmland and timbered urban areas.

Retain a mix of sheltered vegetation and open airspace. Creek lines, forest edges and gaps between trees may provide useful night flight paths.

  • Well vegetated creeks and riparian corridors
  • Tall wet forest, rainforest and vine forest
  • Low open forest, farmland and timbered urban areas
  • Edges, gaps and connected flight paths between roosts and vegetation

Foraging habitat: Construction considerations

Avoid unnecessary removal of mature trees and riparian vegetation. Keep night lighting away from retained habitat where possible, and direct unavoidable lights away from tree hollows, creek corridors and likely flight paths.

Maintain vegetation links between potential roost trees and nearby feeding areas. Do not assume that a tree without visible bats has no value.

  • Retain mature and hollow-bearing trees where safe and practicable.
  • Limit bright lighting and prolonged night works beside retained vegetation.
  • Protect waterways and riparian vegetation from sediment, runoff and accidental damage.
  • Schedule noisy or disruptive work away from confirmed breeding places under the approved management plan.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

The Eastern Broad-nosed Bat is a colonial breeder. Most microbats give birth to one pup in the warmer months, usually from spring to late summer, and this species has been recorded giving birth in late November or early December.

A single young is born. Pregnant or lactating females and dependent pups indicate that a roost is being used for breeding.

The species is poorly known in several aspects of its breeding biology. Do not rely on an assumed breeding date alone when planning work. Local survey evidence and advice from the project ecologist should guide decisions.

  • Expect breeding activity during the warmer months, commonly spring to late summer.
  • Treat a roost used by females with dependent young as an active breeding place.
  • Assume that disturbance can affect more than the bats visible at the entrance.

Breeding habitat: Confirming a maternity roost

Use a combination of methods. An emergence watch can show repeated use, while Anabat or similar acoustic recording can identify activity around the site. Harp traps or mist nets may help confirm species, but must be conducted by trained and authorised personnel.

Inspect suitable tree hollows with an endoscope or pole camera only where this can be done safely and without harming bats. Confirmation is strongest when pregnant or lactating females, pups or dependent young are observed.

  • Check for females with enlarged abdomens or evidence of lactation.
  • Look for pups, young bats or repeated adult return to the same opening.
  • Record emergence and re-entry times, weather, observer position and the condition of the roost feature.
  • Do not seal, fell or heavily disturb a suspected maternity roost until the ecologist has assessed it.

Breeding habitat: Managing hollow-bearing trees

Where a hollow-bearing tree must be removed, use a staged or soft-felling approach developed by the fauna ecologist. This may include pre-felling inspection, lowering limbs carefully and leaving sections in place so any bats can leave safely.

Any exclusion device must be designed for the feature and installed outside the maternity season. Exclusion should never trap dependent young inside a roost.

  • Inspect the tree before work and immediately before felling.
  • Use two-stage or soft felling where approved.
  • Retain felled hollow sections as habitat where safe and practicable.
  • Stop work if bats, pups or a maternity roost are found unexpectedly.

Sheltering habitat: Natural roost features

The species is known to shelter in tree hollows and may also use buildings. Microbats can use small, concealed spaces, so a quick visual check from the ground may not detect an occupied roost.

Roosts have been identified in hollows of manna gums, including hollows up to about 7 m above ground. Other suitable tree features may include fissures, loose bark and enclosed cavities, although species-specific use of each feature is not well documented.

Inspect mature live trees, dead trees, stags and large limbs with hollows. Check both the entrance and the internal cavity where access is safe.

  • Hollow-bearing trunks and limbs
  • Dead trees and stags with enclosed cavities
  • Fissures, loose bark and narrow crevices
  • Trees beside creeks, forest edges and connected vegetation

Sheltering habitat: Built structures

Buildings can provide roosting habitat, and should be checked before demolition, roof replacement or major repairs. Other enclosed structures used by microbats can include bridges, culverts, mines and caves, although use by this species should be confirmed rather than assumed.

  • Roof spaces, wall cavities and gaps around cladding
  • Bridges, culverts and other dark, sheltered infrastructure
  • Caves, mines and fissures where present
  • Structures close to trees, waterways or other vegetated habitat

Sheltering habitat: Survey and exclusion

Use daytime inspection, emergence watches and acoustic monitoring to assess a suspected roost. Where species confirmation is needed, a harp trap or mist net may be suitable under the direction of an appropriately qualified person.

Exclusion devices can be used only after the roost has been assessed and outside the maternity season. Provide alternative habitat where appropriate, but do not treat bat boxes as a replacement for established natural hollows.

  • Keep a record of all entrances, signs and survey conditions.
  • Use one-way exclusion devices only when no dependent young are present.
  • Install bat boxes as a supplementary measure, not as the sole mitigation for hollow loss.
  • Obtain the required approvals before disturbing or modifying a roost.

Colonies and breeding places: What a colony or maternity roost looks like

A colony or maternity roost is a shared breeding place where bats of the same kind co-exist in close association to raise young. Colonies may occupy a tree hollow, building cavity or other sheltered space, and a single site can contain a substantial share of the local population.

The roost may appear as one or more small openings in a hollow tree, building or structure. Bats may be hidden during the day and leave around dusk, so an apparently quiet site can still be active.

Eastern Broad-nosed Bats may share maternity roosts with Chocolate Wattled Bats. Mixed-species use does not reduce the need for careful assessment.

  • Repeated emergence from the same hollow, cavity or structure
  • Bats returning to the same entrance before dawn
  • Droppings or urine staining below an entrance
  • Several bats using one concealed space, sometimes with no daytime activity

Colonies and breeding places: Colony size and site fidelity

Reliable, species-specific typical colony sizes are not established. Numbers can vary with the roost feature, season and local conditions, so do not use an assumed colony size to set the level of protection.

Bats may return to familiar roosts or use a network of nearby roosts. Retain alternative hollows and connected habitat rather than treating a single empty inspection as proof that a site is unused.

  • Survey more than one night where the risk and timing require it.
  • Record nearby potential roosts, not just the feature being removed.
  • Treat repeated use over time as evidence of site value.
  • Protect the wider roost network during clearing and construction.

Colonies and breeding places: Recognising an active breeding place

An active breeding place is best confirmed by evidence of breeding, such as pregnant or lactating females, pups or dependent young. Emergence observations, acoustic activity and careful inspection can support the assessment.

For Queensland projects, a roost where young are raised is a breeding place. Queensland transport guidance treats microbats as colonial breeders because they form colonies during the breeding season.

  • Observe pregnant or lactating females.
  • Confirm pups or dependent young where this can be done safely.
  • Use Anabat or similar acoustic monitoring alongside emergence watches.
  • Use harp traps or mist nets only by trained and authorised personnel, with appropriate animal welfare controls.

Colonies and breeding places: Why colonies need special care

Disturbing one hollow or building cavity can affect many bats at once. Removing the roost during the maternity period can separate young from their mothers or trap them inside.

In Queensland, interfering with the breeding place of a least concern colonial breeder requires a high risk species management program under the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020. This is different from the low risk program used for other least concern animals. DETSI defines colonial breeders as animals of the same kind that co-exist in close association for breeding.

  • Engage the project ecologist before clearing or demolition.
  • Use staged or soft felling for approved removal of hollow-bearing trees.
  • Use exclusion devices only outside the maternity season and after confirming that no young remain.
  • Consider bat boxes as supplementary habitat, while retaining natural hollows wherever possible.

Threats: Tree and hollow loss

The main work site risks are loss of hollow-bearing trees, removal of connected vegetation and disturbance of roosts. Construction lighting, noise and changes to waterways can also reduce the value of habitat that remains.

Clearing mature trees, dead trees and hollow-bearing limbs can remove roosts that took many decades to form. Tree removal along creeks can also break links between roosting and feeding areas.

Retain suitable trees in place where possible. Apply tree protection zones and prevent storage, access, trenching and compaction around retained trees.

  • Prioritise retention of trees with hollows, fissures and loose bark.
  • Avoid removing large limbs with cavities unless assessed by the fauna ecologist.
  • Retain safely positioned fallen hollow sections as supplementary habitat.
  • Replace lost habitat progressively rather than relying only on future plantings.

Threats: Roost disturbance and demolition

Demolition, roof works, vibration and tree felling can disturb concealed bats. Work during the maternity period can harm dependent young even when adult bats can escape.

Survey buildings, trees and structures before work. Stop work and seek advice if bats, pups or a previously unknown roost are found.

  • Do not seal a cavity before checking for bats.
  • Use approved exclusion methods only outside the maternity season.
  • Keep machinery and workers away from confirmed roost entrances.
  • Document unexpected finds and update the fauna management plan.

Threats: Lighting, noise and edge effects

Bright lighting can alter bat movement and reduce use of otherwise suitable habitat. Persistent noise, vibration and increased human activity may also disturb roosts and commuting routes.

Use the lowest practical light levels, direct lights away from vegetation and water, and avoid lighting tree hollows or roost entrances.

  • Shield and aim lights away from retained habitat.
  • Avoid unnecessary night work beside likely roosts and creek corridors.
  • Retain dark connections between trees and other habitat.
  • Review lighting during construction if bat activity changes.

Threats: Habitat fragmentation and waterway impacts

Removal of riparian vegetation and isolated tree patches can reduce feeding and movement habitat. Sediment, polluted runoff and construction disturbance can further degrade creek lines used by microbats.

Protect waterways and maintain vegetated corridors through the site. Keep access routes, stockpiles and washdown areas away from retained habitat and drainage lines.

  • Retain well vegetated creek lines and tall trees.
  • Control sediment, runoff and accidental spills.
  • Maintain links between roost trees and feeding areas.
  • Include nearby habitat and cumulative clearing in the site assessment.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The Eastern Broad-nosed Bat is a small to medium microbat that can be difficult to identify from calls alone. Use a combination of acoustic detection, visual inspection and targeted trapping, with extra care around hollow-bearing trees, buildings and other potential maternity roosts.

Map hollow-bearing trees, mature riparian vegetation, rainforest, tall wet forest, low open forest, timbered urban areas, buildings and other structures that could provide roosts.

Include tree hollows, loose bark, fissures, caves, mines, culverts, bridges and roof spaces in the assessment. The species has been recorded roosting in tree hollows and buildings, and maternity roosts may be shared with Chocolate Wattled Bats.

Check planning, environmental and threatened species databases, previous detector records, local landholder observations and nearby records of maternity colonies.

Known breeding period for microbats: Most microbats give birth to one pup in the warmer months, usually spring to late summer.

Species record: A single young has been reported in late November or early December.

  • Identify all proposed clearing, demolition, vibration, lighting and access areas.
  • Map habitat links, creek lines and mature hollow-bearing trees that could be used for foraging or movement.
  • Treat a suspected roost as potentially significant until its use has been assessed.

Survey methodology: 2. Acoustic and activity surveys

Use Anabat or a similar full-spectrum or zero-crossing detector at likely flyways, creek lines, tree edges, hollow-bearing trees, bridges, culverts and building edges.

Deploy detectors over repeated suitable nights where practicable. Survey during the warmer months and include spring to late summer when breeding activity and maternity roost use are more likely.

Avoid relying on a single quiet night. Do not survey during heavy rain, strong winds or other conditions that suppress bat activity. Record weather, moon conditions, detector settings, deployment location and start and finish times.

Have calls analysed by a suitably experienced ecologist. Calls may not separate all Scotorepens species or closely related species, so treat uncertain records conservatively.

Documented survey example: The species has been detected using stationary bat detectors and walking transects, including long-duration deployments.

  • Record every detector location using coordinates and photographs.
  • Record call files, species identification confidence, call sequences, activity levels and nearby habitat features.
  • Use emergence watches at suspected roosts from before sunset until activity has ceased or the survey objective has been met.

Survey methodology: 3. Trapping and roost inspection

Use harp traps or mist nets only under an approved survey design and with appropriately trained personnel. Place traps on likely flyways and near, but not across, suspected roost entrances where safe and lawful.

Inspect potential hollow-bearing trees with an endoscope or pole camera where this can be done without harming bats. Inspect buildings, culverts, bridges and other structures from a safe position.

Do not block or enter a roost to confirm occupancy. Schedule inspections to avoid trapping adults or pups inside a maternity roost.

Record sex, age class, reproductive condition, species confidence, photographs where suitable, release location and time. Release bats promptly at the capture site unless an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian directs otherwise.

  • Look for pregnant or lactating females, pups, concentrated droppings, staining, odour, scratch marks, repeated emergence and return flights.
  • Use more than one survey method when a clearing decision depends on whether a roost is active.
  • Stop and obtain specialist advice if a pup, lactating female or large group is found.

Survey methodology: 4. Survey interpretation and reporting

Map records against the clearing footprint and proposed exclusion areas. Separate confirmed roosts, probable roosts, feeding records and flyover records.

Describe the number of animals seen or captured, but do not assume that detector passes represent individual bats or colony size.

Report survey limitations, weather, access constraints, equipment, effort, identification confidence and any unsurveyed habitat.

  • Retain original call files, photographs, trap sheets and field notes.
  • State whether a maternity roost, breeding place or other active roost was confirmed, suspected or not detected.
  • Give the construction team a clear map showing no-go areas and trigger points.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and legal checks

Plan works to avoid roosts and breeding places wherever possible. The Eastern Broad-nosed Bat is a colonial breeder, so disturbance to one maternity roost can affect many bats from the local population.

Confirm whether the action may affect a matter of national environmental significance. Consider an EPBC Act referral if the project could significantly affect a listed species, a listed ecological community or another protected matter.

In Queensland, obtain the required approval before tampering with a breeding place. For this least concern colonial breeder, the Queensland Nature Conservation framework requires a high risk species management program where the breeding place is affected.

Check Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian wildlife legislation, permits and local approval conditions before capture, handling, exclusion, tree removal, demolition or relocation.

Use the project ecologist to confirm the correct permit holder, fauna spotter catcher authority and reporting pathway.

  • Do not rely on the species being listed as least concern to remove approval requirements.
  • Keep approval documents, SMP conditions, permit numbers and contact details on site.
  • Brief subcontractors on conditions that apply to trees, buildings, bridges, culverts and other roost structures.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Colonies and breeding places

A colony or maternity roost is a shared place where females gather to give birth and raise young. It may be in a tree hollow, fissure, loose bark, cave, mine, culvert, bridge, building or roof space.

Colony sizes for this species are poorly known. Do not use the absence of visible bats to conclude that a site is unimportant. Bats may leave through small openings and may be concealed during the day.

An active breeding place is indicated by pregnant or lactating females, pups, repeated emergence and return flights, concentrated droppings, staining, odour, or bats consistently using the same cavity or structure.

Microbats are treated as colonial breeders during the breeding season because they form colonies. Any roost where young are raised is a breeding place.

Site fidelity: Species-specific site fidelity is poorly known. Manage repeatedly used roosts as significant until further assessment shows otherwise.

Shared roosts: Maternity roosts may be shared with Chocolate Wattled Bats.

  • Retain the roost and its surrounding flight path whenever practicable.
  • Assume a suspected maternity roost is active until a suitably qualified person confirms otherwise.
  • Protect nearby hollow-bearing trees, creek vegetation and access routes used by bats.
  • Do not seal, fumigate, illuminate, vibrate or demolish a suspected breeding place without approval and a specific management plan.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Timing, avoidance and buffers

Schedule tree removal, demolition and exclusion outside the local maternity period wherever practicable. For microbats, avoid the warmer breeding period from spring to late summer. Obtain local ecological advice because timing varies with weather and region.

Migration timing for this species is poorly known. Do not assume that a site is unused outside the breeding season.

Retain an undisturbed buffer around confirmed or suspected roosts. Set the buffer according to the structure, flight paths, noise, vibration, lighting and advice from the project ecologist or regulator. There is no single buffer distance suitable for every site.

Keep machinery, stockpiles, lighting and access tracks outside the agreed exclusion area.

  • Use physical fencing, signage and mapped no-go zones before works begin.
  • Design temporary lighting away from roost entrances, creek lines and movement corridors.
  • Reassess buffers if bats are seen entering, leaving or circling the work area.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Pre-clearance survey and exclusion

Complete a final pre-clearance inspection shortly before works. Recheck all hollow-bearing trees, buildings and structures that will be disturbed.

Use emergence watches, internal inspection, endoscope or pole camera assessment where safe and appropriate. Confirm whether bats, pups or a maternity colony are present.

If a roost must be removed, use a staged or soft-felling method developed by the fauna specialist. For hollow-bearing trees, consider two-stage felling, including careful removal of limbs and placement of the hollow section so bats can escape safely.

Only install exclusion devices outside the maternity season and after confirming that no bats or dependent young remain inside. Use one-way devices only where their design, timing and monitoring are suitable.

  • Never exclude a maternity colony containing pups.
  • Leave alternative roosting habitat available before exclusion where practicable.
  • Inspect the exclusion device and surrounding area for signs of continued use.
  • Use bat boxes as a supplementary measure, not as an automatic replacement for a natural maternity roost.

Before habitat disturbance: 5. Crew induction

Include bat identification, likely roosts, exclusion zones, stop-work triggers and animal welfare in the site induction.

Show workers how to recognise bats, pups, droppings, roost entrances and emergence activity. Explain that a hollow, crack, roof space or bridge joint may be a breeding place.

Nominate the fauna spotter catcher or ecologist who can stop work and make decisions under the approval conditions.

  • Keep the fauna specialist's phone number at the work front.
  • Require workers to report any bat, pup, unusual noise, roost opening or injured animal immediately.
  • Prohibit untrained handling, chasing, smoking, spraying or shining bright lights into a roost.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Clear habitat in a controlled sequence and keep a qualified fauna spotter catcher at the active work front. Work must stop when a roost, colony, pup or other unexpected fauna risk is found.

Clear low vegetation first, then non-hollow-bearing trees, followed by approved hollow-bearing trees or structures. Use the sequence set by the ecologist and approval conditions.

Maintain escape routes to retained vegetation and avoid creating a ring of cleared habitat around a roost.

Use soft felling or two-stage felling for hollow-bearing trees where required. Lower limbs and hollow sections slowly, place them on the ground with openings unobstructed, and allow time for bats to leave under supervision.

Do not fell a tree or dismantle a structure at night unless the method has been specifically approved and supervised.

  • Check each limb, hollow and cavity before cutting.
  • Pause between stages to allow hidden animals to move.
  • Keep machinery clear of retained trees and any placed hollow sections.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop-work triggers and active breeding places

The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop work immediately. Stop if a bat, pup, lactating female, active colony, occupied hollow, maternity roost or previously unknown breeding place is found.

Establish a quiet exclusion area. Keep people, machinery, smoke, dust, vibration and lighting away from the entrance.

Do not remove, seal or relocate the roost until the ecologist confirms the action is lawful and consistent with the permit, SMP or other approval.

Contact the project ecologist and regulator where required. Revise the method, timing and exclusion area before restarting.

  • Photograph and map the location without handling bats.
  • Record whether bats are entering, leaving, calling or carrying young.
  • Keep the cavity or structure intact if safe to do so.
  • Treat a single pup or lactating female as evidence that the place may be an active breeding place.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Handling and release

Only authorised and trained people may catch or handle bats. Use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow the approved wildlife handling procedure.

Do not handle bats with bare hands. Avoid unnecessary restraint, noise, heat and exposure to bright light.

Place a captured bat in a suitable clean, breathable container for the shortest practical time. Seek advice from the fauna specialist or wildlife carer if the bat is cold, injured, dehydrated, grounded or unable to fly.

Release a healthy bat at the capture location when conditions are suitable, unless the permit, veterinarian or wildlife carer directs another action.

  • Never attempt to feed or treat a bat on site.
  • Do not release a bat into an unfamiliar habitat or into an occupied roost without specialist advice.
  • Keep people and pets away from released animals.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Injured animals and emergencies

Do not touch an injured bat unless you are authorised and trained to do so. Keep workers away and prevent dogs, cats and other predators from reaching it.

Contact the nominated wildlife carer, veterinarian or wildlife authority through the project's emergency pathway. Follow any rabies, Australian bat lyssavirus and workplace health requirements that apply to the jurisdiction.

If a worker is bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately with soap and running water and seek urgent medical advice. Report the incident under the site's health and safety procedure.

  • Record the location, time, circumstances and visible condition.
  • Use photographs from a safe distance where this will not delay care.
  • Do not resume work in the immediate area until the fauna specialist has cleared it.

During habitat disturbance: 5. Field records

Keep a daily fauna log for all inspections, sightings, captures, exclusions, stop-work events and releases.

Record species, number, life stage, sex where known, reproductive condition, location, structure used, action taken and the names of authorised personnel.

Link each record to photographs, maps, permit conditions and the relevant work activity.

  • Record negative inspection results as well as animals found.
  • Document any departure from the approved method and the reason.
  • Provide records to the project ecologist and principal contractor before the end of the shift where practicable.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Immediate post-clearance checks

Post-clearance checks confirm that no animals remain trapped and that retained roosts have not been compromised. Use the results to refine the method for later work stages.

Inspect felled hollow sections, cut limbs, buildings, bridge joints, culverts and work areas for bats, pups and signs of occupation.

Recheck the base and canopy of removed trees where safe. Look for grounded bats, trapped animals, open cavities and damaged retained habitat.

Complete checks during the same work stage and again after the area is quiet if the ecologist considers that necessary.

  • Do not move a hollow section until it has been inspected and cleared.
  • Check that exclusion devices remain secure and functional.
  • Record all checks, findings and photographs.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Relocated and released animals

Monitor any animal released or relocated under the approved procedure. Confirm that it leaves the container or release site normally and is not grounded or repeatedly circling.

Do not move bats between distant sites unless this is authorised and supported by an animal welfare and ecological assessment.

Report mortality, repeated grounding, abnormal behaviour or failure to leave the release site to the project ecologist and wildlife carer.

  • Record release time, weather, location, condition and outcome.
  • Reinspect the original roost if bats were excluded or a structure was modified.
  • Keep any replacement roost accessible and free from construction disturbance.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Roost and habitat monitoring

Monitor retained roosts and replacement structures with emergence watches, internal inspection where safe, acoustic detectors or other methods suited to the site.

Use repeat monitoring when a maternity roost was affected, an exclusion device was installed, or a hollow-bearing tree was removed.

Compare activity with the pre-disturbance baseline, while recognising that detector passes do not provide a direct colony count.

  • Record occupancy, emergence timing, evidence of pups, species confidence and roost condition.
  • Inspect after major storms, construction vibration or structural changes where these could affect the roost.
  • Continue monitoring for the period required by the approval, SMP or ecological management plan.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Reporting and incident review

Prepare a close-out report covering survey effort, clearing methods, animal encounters, approvals, stop-work events, injuries, mortalities, exclusions, releases and monitoring results.

Notify the relevant regulator or approval holder within the required timeframe for any breach, injury, mortality or unauthorised disturbance.

Hold a short incident review with the fauna team, site supervisor and contractor. Update the clearing method and induction before the next stage.

  • Record what triggered the incident and how quickly work stopped.
  • Identify whether timing, lighting, machinery, inspection or communication contributed.
  • Carry lessons forward to all remaining work areas.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Retain and restore habitat

Restore roosting, foraging and movement habitat around the work area. Natural hollow-bearing trees and connected vegetation should remain the main focus, with artificial structures used only where they suit the site and are maintained.

Retain mature hollow-bearing trees, dead standing trees where safe, riparian vegetation and connected forest patches.

Restore native vegetation around creeks, drainage lines and retained trees. Use local native species suited to the soil, moisture and vegetation community.

Create a gradual edge between cleared ground and retained vegetation where practicable. Protect planted areas from compaction, fire, grazing and vehicle damage.

  • Protect retained trees from root disturbance, soil fill, trenching and stored materials.
  • Reconnect isolated patches with native plantings and retained canopy where the design allows.
  • Keep potential flight paths open between roosting and foraging habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Replacement roost structures

Use bat boxes, artificial roost structures or retained hollow sections only after a species-specific assessment. They may supplement habitat but do not replace a mature natural hollow or active maternity roost on a like-for-like basis.

Position boxes or roost structures in suitable habitat, with an unobstructed entrance, appropriate shelter from weather and protection from vandalism, excessive heat and bright lighting.

Use designs selected by a bat ecologist and install more than one structure where the local management plan supports this. Monitor occupancy rather than assuming installation equals successful replacement.

  • Place replacement structures before exclusion or clearing where practicable.
  • Keep access clear and prevent sealing, painting or chemical treatment that could harm bats.
  • Inspect and maintain boxes and artificial structures under the monitoring plan.
  • Record occupancy, species, breeding evidence, condition and maintenance needs.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Tree hollow and artificial nest site management

Retain suitable hollow sections from felled trees only where they can be secured safely and remain accessible to bats. Place them in a stable position with openings kept clear.

Use artificial nest sites only where the structure and entrance are suitable for microbats. Do not describe a bird nest box as a suitable bat roost without checking its design.

Do not install artificial structures in exposed locations where heat, flooding, predators or construction activity make them unsuitable.

  • Inspect retained hollow sections after installation and following severe weather.
  • Remove loose wire, sharp edges and hazardous fixings.
  • Maintain a record of location, design, installation date and inspection results.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Weeds, water and lighting

Control weeds using methods that protect roost trees, creek banks and flying insects. Avoid spraying near occupied roosts or waterways unless the method is approved and safe.

Protect clean water and vegetated creek lines. Prevent sediment, fuel, concrete washout and contaminated runoff from entering bat habitat.

Use the lowest practical level of warm, shielded lighting. Direct lights away from roost entrances, tree canopies, creek corridors and artificial roost structures.

  • Fit lights with shields, timers or motion controls where suitable.
  • Retain dark movement corridors between roosting and feeding areas.
  • Inspect drainage and erosion controls after rain.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Long-term monitoring

Monitor restored habitat, retained trees and artificial roosts using emergence watches, acoustic detectors and visual inspections suited to the site.

Include monitoring during the warmer breeding period, especially spring to late summer, when maternity use is more likely. Seek advice before inspecting a suspected maternity roost.

Use results to adjust weed control, lighting, planting, roost placement and construction offsets.

  • Record bat activity, species confidence, roost occupancy, breeding evidence, habitat condition and maintenance actions.
  • Keep monitoring records with the project's environmental management documents.
  • Review the rehabilitation plan if bats do not use replacement structures or if a retained roost becomes disturbed.

Sources