DEVON GREATER HORSESHOE
BAT PROJECT
Priority Landscape Biodiversity Audits
Contract Brief
Greater Horseshoe Bat: John J Kaczanow
Devon Wildlife Trust, Cricklepit Mill, Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4AB
Tel: (01392) 279244 Fax: (01392) 433221 E-mail: contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org
Web site: www.devonwildlifetrust.org Registered charity, no 213224
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Priority Landscape Biodiversity Audits Project Brief
Background
Greater horseshoe bats are among the rarest and most threatened bats in Europe and are
afforded protection under Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations
2010. Devon represents an international stronghold for the species supporting the largest
recorded roost in Northern Europe. A number of initiatives have been developed over recent years
to help maintain Devon’s greater horseshoe bat populations. The English Nature Greater
Horseshoe Bat Project (1998-2003) was the most holistic, long term and strategic in approach.
Many other projects have focused on the protection of individual roosts.
The Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project has drawn together a wide partnership of organisations
that have an interest in the conservation of greater horseshoe bats. The partnership has been
constituted through formal Terms of Reference and Memoranda of Agreement. We agree that by
working in collaborative partnerships more coherent benefits will be developed for this flagship
species within Devon.
Project partners:
Organisation
Bat Conservation Trust
Devon Bat Group
Devon Biodiversity Record Centre
Devon County Council
Devon Wildlife Trust (Lead)
East Devon AONB (Chair)
FWAG SouthWest
Natural England
North Devon AONB
South Devon AONB
Tamar Valley AONB
Blackdown Hills AONB
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Vincent Wildlife Trust
Devon Communities Together
St Loye’s Foundation
Clinton Devon Estates
North Devon Biosphere Reserve
University of Exeter
Name
Carol Williams
Steve Markham
Ian Egerton
Sarah Jennings
Peter Burgess
Pete Youngman
Gary Rumbold
David Appleton
Jenny Carey-Wood
Roger English
Corinna Woodall
Linda Bennett
Alex Scholefield
Colin Morris
Martin Rich
Claire Prendergast
Sam Bridgewater
Andrew Bell
Fiona Mathews
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Priority Landscape Biodiversity Audits Project Brief
The project will deliver a holistic strategy to secure the long term persistence of the species
throughout widespread community engagement, targeted land management enhancements and a
programme of research and monitoring. In order to deliver maximum strategic conservation gain
for the bats, field scale land use and biodiversity data is required.
The successful contractor will provide field scale data for at least 22,200 hectares of maternity
roost sustenance zones in Devon.
Purpose of Priority Landscape Biodiversity Audits
The purpose of the Priority Landscape Biodiversity Audit is to establish and understand the
biodiversity interest in selected crucial landscapes for the greater horseshoe bats in Devon. This
interest should be briefly set in the context of the county’s and area’s biodiversity (in particular
making the link between the local wildlife and the Devon BAP and the Biosphere BAP). The audits
will identify opportunities for specific greater horseshoe bat conservation action, and also projects
that could inspire community action and participation.
Priority areas are defined by proximity to maternity roost locations. During this Delivery Phase we
are focusing within 9 zones (2 have previously been completed). These will be defined by a 1km
radius from the maternity roost with additional targeted work in landscapes of high suitability for
foraging and commuting bats out to a 4km radius. The table below provides an indication of the
roost location.
The priority areas and detailed themes for audit work will be refined through close collaboration
with the DGHB Project Manager and representatives of the DGHBP Steering Group and Research
and Monitoring Forum.
Maternity Roost Locations
Site
Caen Valley - Braunton
Gunnislake
Avon Valley (completed)
Buckfastleigh
Bovey Tracey
Harbertonford (completed)
Chudleigh
Dartmouth
Berry Head
Branscombe
Grid Ref
SS4837
SX4372
SX7352
SX7466
SX7977
SX7956
SX8678
SX8752
SX9456
SY2089
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Priority Landscape Biodiversity Audits Project Brief
Southleigh
SY2093
The output GIS map layers should enable the proactive targeting of agricultural land holdings in
project priority areas.
Important habitats that are not fully understood in the maternity roost sustenance zones could
include:
 Wet woodlands
 Semi-natural woodlands
 Species-rich neutral pasture and meadow (MG4/5)
 Species-rich acid grasslands (not mire communities)
 Semi-improved grassland habitats (MG10, M23 etc.)
 Other wildlife rich habitats – e.g. un-cropped land
 Important linkage features such as riparian land and dense tree lines
 Pinch-points and barriers to functional connectivity
The audit should also be considered within the context of the project’s core aim of helping local
communities become involved in the conservation and enhancement of their local environment.
Similar audits commissioned by Devon County Council have proved popular and have successfully
stimulated interest in the natural environment. Prior communication with DCC is essential to
coordinate effort and ensure synergies are exploited.
Methodology
1. Analysis of aerial photographs to identify and map habitats at parcel or sub-parcel scale.
2. Habitat data should be collected in accordance with the Integrated Habitat Survey
methodology.
3. A desk survey of the wildlife interest of each sustenance zone, based on the collation of
existing information held by the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre.
The targeted element of the contract (i.e. land outside of the 1km radius) will be agreed in
advance with the Project Manager with support from the Research and Monitoring Task and Finish
Group.
Outputs
The outputs of this contract should include:
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Priority Landscape Biodiversity Audits Project Brief
The production of a concise report of no more than 2 pages including:
a. A brief description of the biodiversity interest of the sustenance zone.
b. The identification of opportunities for nature conservation action by the local community.
Together with:
c. Multiple GIS layers (Mapinfo tab) showing IHS codes (or aggregated codes in agriculturally
improved situations for example) assigned to field / habitat polygons.
The report should be produced as a printed version and electronically.
Note: the presentation and language used should be accessible and inspiring for a wide nontechnical audience.
Field scale data resolution should normally be sufficient. In some circumstances fields may need to
be sub-divided and two or more codes assigned. The most likely circumstance where this would
occur is where wildlife rich vegetation communities are found in a transition with an agriculturally
modified habitat over a large area. A relevant example is where fen meadow grasslands are
located at the valley bottom of an otherwise improved field.
Any notes associated with the IHS data should be recorded in the GIS layer and where appropriate
in the written report. Notes should be brief and include information on habitat condition,
management, opportunities, threats, NVC data etc. A column in the GIS layer detailing land
management where this is not clear in the IHS code would also be beneficial where this does not
impose a significant survey burden. Examples could include – dairy cattle, beef cattle, abandoned,
set-aside etc.
Note: Any personal information regarding landowners / contact must be omitted unless we have
written permission due to the public nature of this data.
Contract timescale
The contract will be reviewed annually. Reports for all 22,200 hectares need to be supplied
adhering to the following schedule:



5,550 hectares (September 30th 2016) minimum of 2 priority landscapes fully reported –
Braunton and Southleigh
11,100 hectares (September 30th 2017) minimum of 4 priority landscapes fully reported
5,550 hectares (September 30th 2018) completion of remaining priority landscapes fully
reported
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Priority Landscape Biodiversity Audits Project Brief
They will subsequently be circulated to the communities, via parish councils and community
representatives, for comments and additional local input. The plans will then be updated by the
DGHB Project Manager.
Technical matters including Health & Safety
 The successful contractor will undertake and agree with Devon Wildlife Trust a risk assessment
for the project.
 When undertaking the site visit the contractor must comply with the procedures set out in the
risk assessment.
 Best practice biosecurity measures must be adopted.
 All species and habitat data collected will be shared via the NBN gateway.
Guidelines for tendering
Applications are invited to undertake the above work by contract, for the period January 2016 to
30th September 2018 inclusive. This will include regular reporting and meetings with the DGHB
Project Manager. All work must be completed according to the timescale above.
To submit your proposal please use the ‘Pro forma for Response to Sustenance Zone Biodiversity
Audit Delivery Tender’ available with this briefing.
Costs for the work, should not exceed a total maximum of £21,680 (including VAT) inclusive of
travel expenses. Please provide all budget information inclusive of VAT.
The project will also provide reimbursements for travel expenses. Please itemise these costs
separately from your project budget.
The contract will be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tender, as assessed
against the following criteria:




Cost – 50%
Skills/knowledge – 30%
Capacity to deliver – 10%
Proposed approach to delivery – 10%
Proposals can be sent electronically or by hard copy, and should be received no later than 5pm on
Friday 8 January 2016 sent to Samantha Little (HR and Central ServicesAssistant) at the following
address:
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Priority Landscape Biodiversity Audits Project Brief
Samantha Little
HR and Central Services Assistant
Devon Wildlife Trust
Cricklepit Mill
Commercial Road
Exeter
EX2 4AB
jobapps@devonwildlifetrust.org
Telephone: 01392 279244
For an informal discussion and/or any questions relating to the work delivery, please speak to Ed
Parr Ferris (Project Manager) on 01392 279244.
Project Management
Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project Manager
C/O Devon Wildlife Trust
Cricklepit Mill
Commercial Road
Exeter
Devon
EX2 4AB
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