Groningen tracks protected birds and bats in urban areas to balance housing upgrades and wildlife safety
From April to September, Groningen is mapping protected species like house sparrows and bats in neighborhoods. This research helps ensure renovations and demolitions don’t harm wildlife, allowing safer and faster home improvements for residents.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Species Monitored | House sparrows, swiftlets, bats |
| Research Period | April 1 – September 10, 2024 |
| Locations | Roofs and facades observed from public roads in Groningen neighborhoods |
| Research Times | Evenings, nights, and mornings; mostly weekdays |
| Researcher Identification | High-visibility vest, binoculars, bat detection devices |
| Purpose | Update Species Management Plan (SMP) for safe building work |
| Municipality Contact | Groningen Municipality |
The municipality of Groningen is responsible for urban development and environmental conservation within its jurisdiction. By conducting this research, it ensures compliance with national wildlife protection laws while facilitating housing improvements for residents.
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Survey on birds and bats in your neighborhood
The municipality is commissioning research into animals that live in buildings from April through September. This involves house sparrows, swiftlets, and bats. During this period, you may see a researcher walking or cycling through the neighborhood, particularly in the evenings and at night, but also in the morning.
House sparrows, swiftlets, and bats are protected species. This means their nesting and roosting sites cannot simply disappear. Yet, houses sometimes need to be insulated, renovated, or demolished. This can only be done if we know exactly where these animals live.
Safe locations
That is why the municipality has developed a Species Management Plan (SMP). This plan outlines how we take protected animals into account when working on buildings. The goal is to achieve two things simultaneously: improving homes more quickly and ensuring these animals have enough safe places to live.
At night
To determine where the animals are located, research is required. This takes place from April through September 10. During this period, you may see a researcher walking or cycling through the neighborhood. The researcher wears a high-visibility vest and carries equipment such as binoculars or devices to detect bats.
Public roads
The researcher observes roofs and facades from public roads to identify where birds nest and bats roost. The research is usually conducted on weekdays. Occasionally, due to weather conditions, the research may be postponed to the weekend.
Precise work
You do not need to do anything, but we have one request: do not approach the researcher. The researcher must work with great precision and has limited time to take measurements. Interrupting the research could result in missing important data.
Results
The results of the research will enable the municipality to ensure that building work can proceed safely and efficiently while preserving the animals' living conditions.
Want more information? Contact the municipality of Groningen.