Grounded Trees & Ecology

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Grounded Trees & Ecology

Arboriculture and ecology company based in Swansea. Bat and other ecology surveys, plus tree works.

17/01/2025

✨ Last week, we shared what we look for in a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA). Today, we’re taking it a step further with real examples of bat access points and roosting areas in a building where we found soprano pipistrelles (and another species 👀)!

🦇 Swipe through the slides to see the hidden spaces bats can use—including some sneaky gaps and crevices. Don’t miss the last slide, where we’ve included endoscope footage of a bat we encountered during the survey! Can you correctly identify this second species? (Hint: it’s not a soprano pipistrelle!)

PRAs are an important part of protecting bats and their roosts. If you need a survey or have any questions, get in touch—we’re happy to help! 😊

13/01/2025

🦇🌟 Here’s what we’ve been up to this recently! 🌟 🦇

This timelapse shows a supervised soft-roof strip in progress. These are a vital part of protecting bats during development. Soft strips are carried out under the guidance of a licensed ecologist to ensure no bats are harmed as materials are carefully removed.

If bats are discovered, the ecologist steps in to safely handle and check them, making sure they’re healthy before releasing them into a safe environment. It’s all about balancing development needs with wildlife protection!

10/01/2025

🔍 What We Look For In a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) Bat Survey 🔍

Earlier this week, we shared a bit about what a PRA involves—now, let’s dive deeper! This charming little building offers some great examples of potential bat access points and roosting areas.

Did you know bats can squeeze into gaps as small as 1–2cm? 🦇 They might find their way into crevices in stone or brickwork, open chimneys, gaps under roof tiles, or behind fascia boards and soffits. These tiny features can be perfect roosting spots!

Keep an eye out for more posts showcasing what we look for during a PRA, including signs of bat activity! PRAs can be carried out all year round, so if you need a bat survey, we’re just a message away.

08/01/2025

🌙 What is a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)? 🦇

A PRA is the essential first step in any bat survey and can be carried out year-round. This survey involves a thorough inspection of the property—both inside and out—where we:

🔍 Look for evidence of bats (like droppings, feeding remains, or even live bats).
🛠️ Identify potential access points (these can be as small as 1–2 cm!)
🏠 Assess areas that could be used as roosts (like lofts, gaps under tiles, or roof linings).

Based on our findings, we’ll determine the roosting suitability of the property. If there’s no potential for bats, you’re all set! In 95% of cases, there will be some, even if it is limited, potential for bats. We’ll guide you through the next steps, including any necessary additional surveys, like dusk emergence surveys.

Our goal? To make the process seamless for you while ensuring bats are properly protected. 🖤

Have questions about PRAs or need a survey? Get in touch!

06/01/2025

🌿 Exploring Nature this Winter ❄️

Crymlyn Bog’s boardwalk is a great place to get outside and enjoy nature, even in the colder months. Winter might feel quiet, but there’s still plenty of wildlife to spot if you take the time to look.

Getting outside is a great way to boost your mental health and connect with the natural world. Why not plan a visit and see what you can find? 🌳 🍃

03/01/2025

Ever wondered what a year for a bat looks like? What about a year for those that study bats?

Take a look at our calendar year for bats and their ecologists!

30/12/2024

🌿 Making Room to Grow 🪴

This tricolour ‘never never’ plant had absolutely stunning roots—so it was time to give them the space they deserve. Repotting helps plants thrive by allowing their roots to spread, take up more nutrients, and continue growing beautifully. 🌱

We also took the chance to prune any dead or damaged leaves, giving the plant a fresh start and helping it focus its energy where it’s needed most. A little TLC can go a long way! 💚

Have you checked on your plant roots (and leaves) lately? 🪴🍃

27/12/2024

🌳🔍 Tree Cavities: Hidden Homes 🐭

During a recent tree inspection in Neath, we spotted this little mouse using a tree cavity as a winter shelter. Tree cavities are essential microhabitats, offering refuge to a variety of wildlife, from small mammals to birds and insects. 🐁🍂

It’s a great example of why trees—particularly mature and veteran ones—are so important for biodiversity, even in the colder months. Protecting these habitats ensures wildlife has safe spaces all year round. 🌿

25/12/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas from Grounded Trees & Ecology! 🎅🌿

Wishing you a festive season full of joy, warmth, and nature’s beauty. Thank you for supporting us and the wildlife we cherish this year—we couldn’t do it without you! Here’s to a peaceful holiday and an exciting year ahead. ❄️✨

From all of us at Grounded, Merry Christmas! 🎁💚

23/12/2024

🌿 Brumation & Diapause: Survival Strategies of the Small but Mighty 🐸🦋

We’ve explored hibernation, torpor, and dormancy—now let’s turn our attention to two lesser-known but equally fascinating strategies animals use to survive harsh winters.

Brumation is how many reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna) slow down during cold months. Similar to hibernation but not quite the same, it allows them to conserve energy, characterised by minimal activity. As ectotherms, these animals' body temperature is dependent on the environmental temperature, so as it gets colder, herpetofauna become more lethargic and less able to hunt. 🐸❄️

Diapause, on the other hand, is an incredible pause button many insects use to survive winter. Whether as eggs, larvae, or adults, insects like butterflies and beetles can put development on hold until conditions improve. 🦋🌱

These strategies are vital for survival, showing how nature’s tiniest creatures endure the toughest conditions 🌍✨

21/12/2024

🌒✨ Winter Solstice Reflections ✨🌘

As the longest night of the year passes, we’re looking forward to the return of longer days and the promise of a brighter season ahead. At Grounded Trees & Ecology, we see this turning point as a time to reflect on the connections between nature and the rhythms of the year.

The winter months are a quiet but vital time for much of the wildlife we work with. Bats are hibernating, trees are resting, and the landscape takes a moment to breathe. For us, it’s a chance to focus on planning and preparing for the busy months to come, from habitat creation to conservation efforts that support both wildlife and people.

Here’s to the return of the light, and the opportunities it brings to care for the natural world. 🌳🦇🌞 Keep an eye out for our upcoming projects, and join us in celebrating the small but powerful signs of life that winter holds.

Happy Winter Solstice from all of us at Grounded Trees & Ecology! ❄️✨

18/12/2024

Found a grounded bat this winter? 🦇❄️ It’s not uncommon for bats to be disoriented or in need of help during the colder months. If you come across a bat on the ground, please don’t touch it—handling bats without a licence is not recommended for their safety and yours.

As licensed bat carers, we’re here to help! If you find a grounded bat, contact us immediately for advice and support. We’ll ensure the bat gets the care it needs. Stay safe and help us protect these incredible creatures! 🌿💚

16/12/2024

Winter can be tough on trees and shrubs, but with a little care, they’ll be ready to thrive come spring! 🌳❄️ From protecting roots with mulch to pruning at the right time, winter care is key to keeping your plants healthy.

Remember, every species is different—some trees and shrubs need special attention during the colder months. Always research the specific needs of your plants to give them the best care possible. 🌿✨

13/12/2024

Trees have incredible strategies to survive winter’s chill, from dropping leaves to conserving energy and entering dormancy. 🌳❄️ But sometimes, extreme cold can push even trees to their limits—so much so that they can actually explode!

If temperatures drop too quickly, the sap inside a tree can freeze. Since frozen water expands, this puts immense pressure on the bark, causing it to crack or burst open. It’s a rare but fascinating phenomenon that reminds us of just how powerful nature can be! 🌿✨

11/12/2024

Did you know that not all UK species truly hibernate? ❄️ While some animals, like bats, enter true hibernation during the winter, others only use torpor—a shorter-term energy-saving strategy. 🦇

Stay tuned as we explore which other species rely on these incredible survival strategies. 🌿✨

09/12/2024

Good morning! Let’s talk about the difference between hibernation and torpor. 🦇✨ Both are ways animals conserve energy during colder months, but they’re not the same!

Hibernation is a long-term state where an animal’s body slows down for weeks or even months. Torpor, on the other hand, is shorter and more flexible, with animals entering and exiting the state as needed.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll dive into which British species use these fascinating strategies! 🌿❄️

Address

4 Spion Kop Road
Swansea
SA65AN

Telephone

+447970274758

Website

http://Www.groundedtrees.uk/

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Videos

RPReplay_Final1736334858

🦇🌟 Here’s what we’ve been up to this recently! 🌟 🦇 This timelapse shows a supervised soft-roof strip in progress. These are a vital part of protecting bats during development. Soft strips are carried out under the guidance of a licensed ecologist to ensure no bats are harmed as materials are carefully removed. If bats are discovered, the ecologist steps in to safely handle and check them, making sure they’re healthy before releasing them into a safe environment. It’s all about balancing development needs with wildlife protection! #BatConservation #SoftStrip #WildlifeProtection #EcologyInAction #Swansea #SwanseaEcology #SwanseaBats #BatEcology

20241220_114400000_iOS

🌿 Exploring Nature this Winter ❄️ Crymlyn Bog’s boardwalk is a great place to get outside and enjoy nature, even in the colder months. Winter might feel quiet, but there’s still plenty of wildlife to spot if you take the time to look. Getting outside is a great way to boost your mental health and connect with the natural world. Why not plan a visit and see what you can find? 🌳 🍃 #Wildlife #Winter #NatureInWinter #CrymlynBog #Ecology #Swansea #SwanseaEcology

20241217_110449000_iOS

🌿 Making Room to Grow 🪴 This tricolour ‘never never’ plant had absolutely stunning roots—so it was time to give them the space they deserve. Repotting helps plants thrive by allowing their roots to spread, take up more nutrients, and continue growing beautifully. 🌱 We also took the chance to prune any dead or damaged leaves, giving the plant a fresh start and helping it focus its energy where it’s needed most. A little TLC can go a long way! 💚 Have you checked on your plant roots (and leaves) lately? 🪴🍃 #Plants #HousePlants #PlantCare #Swansea #SwanseaEcology

VIDEO049

🌳🔍 Tree Cavities: Hidden Homes 🐭 During a recent tree inspection in Neath, we spotted this little mouse using a tree cavity as a winter shelter. Tree cavities are essential microhabitats, offering refuge to a variety of wildlife, from small mammals to birds and insects. 🐁🍂 It’s a great example of why trees—particularly mature and veteran ones—are so important for biodiversity, even in the colder months. Protecting these habitats ensures wildlife has safe spaces all year round. 🌿 #TreeInspection #WildlifeHabitat #NatureLovers #Neath #ProtectOurTrees #Swansesa #SwanseaEcology #NatureInWinter

Completing a full roof strip under licence and supervision due to this property having roosting bats. .Two different species of Pipistrelle bats were present where the property was surveyed last year and now the work is being carried out. .A full renovation and extension is planned for the property with new roosting opportunities being created within the new roof for the bats to hopefully return. ....#groundedtreesandecology #groundedtrees #bats #ecology #ecologist #renovation #roofing #extension #homeimprovements #development #home #wildlife #planning

Bats in the roost chattering away. This is the roost in the last post with all of the droppings. . #groundedtrees #batroost #bats

Tagging trees in the woods. . Making sure that nail is in good and proper. . . . . #groundedtrees #trees #tagging #hammer #hammerandnail #arborist #arboriculture #treesurveys #tags #survey #woodlands

Three points of attachment while looking at this potential roosting feature. . Just for the hell of it.. next tree I might try 5. . . . . #groundedtrees #tworopeworking #doublerope #treeclimbing

Gone, just like that. You need the sound or the magic doesn’t work 😉 . . . . #groundedtrees #magic #vanished