Bird and Bat Survey

Clypse Beg Roost Survey 2025-11-10

A close-up photograph of a large tree trunk covered in ivy, showing a potential bat roost hole in the bark.

A photograph showing a dirt track running alongside dense vegetation and trees under an overcast sky.

Manx BirdLife Birdand BatSurvey Clypse Beg November2025

Prepared byAlex King, Junior Ecologist Checked byAllison Leonard, Managing Director, Manx BirdLife

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Clypse Beg Roost Survey 2025-11-10

Introduction

1.1 Project Background 1.2 The Proposal 1.3 Legislation Survey/Site Assessment and Data Search 2.1 Survey Personnel 2.2 Site Location 2.3 Survey Methodology

Results

3.1 Survey Results 3.3 Survey Limitations Evaluation of Results Impact Assessment Recommendations

References

Appendix 1 – Survey notes

Appendix 2 – Additional Photographs

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1. Introduction

1.1 Project Background: Manx BirdLife was instructed by Chris Millar of Penketh-Millar to carry out a visual and thermal search of seven individual trees and three tree groups recommended for removal by Manx Roots Tree management, along with external visual and thermal searches of one dwelling and two associated buildings, for the presence of any breeding birds or roosting bats prior to the buildings being demolished.

1.2 The Proposal:

The trees to be surveyed include 5 individual Ash trees, 2 groups of Sycamores, 1 individual ornamental Cypress, a group of mixed ornamentals, and 1 individual Sycamore, located in the area of Little Mill road and Clypse Mooar road, Onchan.

The trees are to be removed as part of the demolition of existing structures and the construction of a larger replacement dwelling and a new driveway, which will connect to Clypse Mooar road.

1.3 Legislation:

Birds

The Isle of Man Wildlife Act 1990 (including 2004 amendments) is the primary legislation serving to protect the Island’s wildlife, including its wild birds. The Act sets out schedules of species of animal and plant that are protected by Manx law from injury or disturbance. The Act also establishes the legal protection of Areas of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves.

All birds and their nests are protected (cannot be killed, injured or taken), bar a few Schedule 2 species that can be shot in the open season. Once a wild bird has begun to build a nest, that nest is protected; it is an offence to take or destroy the nest, eggs or young of any wild bird.

Special penalties are available for offences related to Schedule 1 species, for which there are additional offences of disturbing these birds and their dependent young at or near their nests.

Bats

The Isle of Man Wildlife Act 1990 (including 2004 amendments) also serves to protect all species of Manx bats, which includes all species of Horseshoe bats and all species of Typical bats. It is an offence to harm or kill any bat, as well as to damage or destroy any place a bat uses, whether or not the bat is there.

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Clypse Beg Roost Survey 2025-11-10

2. Survey/ Site Assessment and Data Search

2.1. Survey Personnel The surveys were carried out by Allison Leonard, Managing Director of Manx BirdLife, James Leonard, and Alex King, contract ecologists for Manx BirdLife.

Allison Leonard BSc (hons), MSC has over 19 years of experience in ornithological and over 10 years’ experience in Bat surveys having worked with Aquila Ecology and the Central Scotland Bat Group carrying out bat surveys.

James Leonard BSc (hons) has over 20 years of experience in ornithological experience, specialising in birds of prey. James is a qualified drone pilot with the CAA, he holds a GVC level 1 Qualification, A TVQ in Drone Operator Management, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Manx Aviation Authority (MAA)operation authorisation including permission for night flying and operations in restricted space. James and has over 10 years’ experience of carrying out drone surveys.

Both surveyors hold a schedule 1 licence for disturbance of bird species listed on schedule 1 of the wildlife act for the purpose of surveying.

Alex King MSc is an Ecology graduate with several years’ experience with Manx BirdLife. All work is carried out under the direct supervision and direction of Allison Leonard and James Leonard.

2.2 Site Location: The trees to be surveyed include 5 individual Ash trees, 2 groups of Sycamores, 1 individual ornamental Cypress, a group of mixed ornamentals, and 1 individual Sycamore. The site also included 3 buildings. The site is situated in the area of Little Mill road and Clypse Mooar road, Onchan. Grid Ref SC 39682 80125. What3Words // entries.institutions.misfit

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Clypse Beg Roost Survey 2025-11-10

Aerial satellite view of a rural property at a road junction showing Clypse Moar Rd and surrounding fields.

A schematic site plan showing the footprint of a property labeled Clypse Beg with boundary lines and a nearby road.

Sycamore group recommended for removal

2 individual Ash recommended for removal	2 individual Ash recommended for removal
	2 individual Ash recommended for removal	2 individual Ash recommended for removal

Individual Sycamore recommended for removal

Individual Ash recommended for removal

	Sycamore group recommended for removal	Sycamore group recommended for removal
Individual ornamental<br><br>Cypress recommended for removal	Individual ornamental<br><br>Cypress recommended for removal

Ornamental group recommended for removal

Map 1:Site Location

Map 2: Survey location

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A close-up photograph showing the interior of a dark cavity, likely a tree hollow or wooden crevice, containing moss and fibrous material.

A close-up photograph of a large, mature tree trunk and branches covered in ivy, showing natural hollows and cavities against a rural background.

A close-up photograph of a large tree trunk and branches covered in ivy, showing natural hollows and crevices in the bark against a pale sky.

2.3SurveyMethodology:

Breeding Bird Survey:

A full visual survey of the trees was carried out for any evidence of nesting birds, both active and inactive (as species such as Woodpigeons breed all year round).

Binoculars were used to survey higher parts of the trees from the ground. A thermal scope was used to detect heat signatures on and within the trees, as well as areas of the buildings visible from outside. The thermal survey was carried out later in the day to ensure the temperature difference between any birds and bats within the property and the surroundings was maximised.

Bat Survey:

The Bat survey was carried out on the 10th of November 2025 in line with guidelines set out in the JNCC Bat Workers Manual (ie. On site 1 hour before sunset until 1.5 hours after sunset). Equipment used for the surveys was an Echo Meter Touch 2 and a Batbox Duet Bat Detector.

3. Results3.1 Survey Results:Bird Survey:

A walkover bird survey and thermal survey was carried out at the site on the 10th of November 2025. This survey covered trees plus the external areas of the buildings on the property.

Tree 5925 had 2 cavities suitable for nesting birds, one of which included an inactive nest of a Wren or Tit spp. Tree 5926 had one hole that had potential for both breeding birds and roosting bats but no evidence that they were being used was found. It was approximately 6m high on limb facing west and appeared dry.

Images 1-3: Inactive nest in tree 5925; 2 cavities visible on tree 5925; cavity in tree 5926.

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Clypse Beg Roost Survey 2025-11-10

A photograph showing a garden area dominated by two large coniferous trees with a white building partially visible in the background.

A photograph showing a dirt track or path running through a grassy area, bordered by dense hedges and trees on either side.

A photograph showing a grassy field bordered by mature trees and hedges, with a white house visible on the right side and a person walking near the vegetation.

A photograph showing a large, overgrown evergreen tree or hedge with dead branches, alongside the corner of a building with a green door.

In the area of trees; 5921, 5920, 5919, 5918, 5917, 5927 and Group 1, small passerines such as Chaffinch, Blackbird, Robin, and Wren were observed roosting in the trees, mostly in the Ivy.

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A photograph showing dense vegetation including bare trees and bushes with purple flowers, likely depicting a garden boundary or wooded area.

A photograph showing a grassy area covered in fallen leaves with a large evergreen tree and smaller deciduous trees in the background.

Images 4-10: trees where passerines were observed flying between and roosting.

Bat Surveys:

The bat survey was carried out on Monday 10th November, and the surveyors were on site 1 hour before sunset until 1.5 hours after sunset as per bat handbook guidelines.

Two bats (Soprano pipistrelle) were detected at 17:10 and 17:25. The bats were recorded flying/feeding over the trees being surveyed.

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Clypse Beg Roost Survey 2025-11-10

A close-up thermal image or digital scan of a slate roof structure, showing a grid pattern and a heat map overlay at the bottom.

A close-up photograph showing the upper section of a weathered stone building with a slate roof and two windows.

Images 11 and 12: Loose slates on the barn roof that may be suitable for roosting bats.

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3.3 Survey Limitations: Due to the time of year, the temperature was just above the minimum temperature for bat activity as per bat handbook guidelines.

4. Evaluation of Results:

Overall, several of the trees recommended for removal at the site do have potential for breeding birds and were in use at the time of survey by roosting birds. There was no evidence that these trees were currently in use by breeding birds.

The use of the site by bats determined by the surveys included 2 bats, Soprano pipistrelles. These individuals were recorded well after sunset so it was unlikely to have been roosting in the trees, and rather just came to feed, as Soprano pipistrelles tend to emerge from roosts 20 mins after sunset.

Based on external observations, the barn building did have potential for roosting bats as there were many loose slates on the roof.

5. Impact Assessment:

The site does have potential for breeding birds or bat roosts in the trees and bushes. However, given the limited evidence of breeding birds or roosting bats, and low levels of roosting activity of common birds, the removal of the trees would have a minimal impact on wildlife.

6. Recommendations:

• The Ivy on the trees should be cut and removed as soon as possible.
• Further bird and bat surveys are also recommended prior to the removal of the trees, to confirm that nothing has nested in the meantime due to species such as Woodpigeon which can breed all year round. Manx BirdLife will be happy to carry this out.
• A licensed bat worker should be on site while any tree removal work is being carried.

7. References:

Birds of Conservation Concern in the Isle of Man 2021 - Manx BirdLife Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists 2023 - Bat Conservation Trust

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Appendix 1: Survey results Survey results [all surveyed visually, using torch if required, with the use of thermal imaging as well, and the use of bat detectors]. All the following have been checked as above and cleared of any sign of bats and birds:

• Tree 5919 – Ash category U
• Tree 5921 – Ash category U
• Tree 5922 – Ash category U
• Tree 5923 – Ash category C
• Tree 5924 – Ash category C
• Group G2 – Sycamores Category C
• Group G4 – Sycamores Category C
• Tree 5927 – Ornamental Cypress Category C
• Group G1 – Mixed Ornamentals (Common beech, Cherry, Hawthorn, Common ash, Lawson cypress) Category C
• Tree 5920 – Sycamore Category C

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Appendix 2:AdditionalPhotos

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