Protected Species Survey

Survey reports and mitigation plans are required for development projects that could affect protected species, as part of getting planning permission or a mitigation licence. Surveys need to show whether protected species are present in the area or nearby, and how they use the site. Mitigation plans show how you’ll avoid, reduce or manage any negative effects to protected species

Great Crested Newt survey (GCN)-

Great crested newts are one of the main species which we have worked with for over 9 years. We have surveyed numerous sites for great crested newts and completed many great crested newt mitigation projects from small to largest great crested newt translocation.

Our great crested newt services include:

  • Environmental eDNA sampling eDNA is a new method used in conservation for species monitoring in water bodies, eDNA analysis gives a quick presence/absence result from a water sample which is collected following a specific protocol. Our ecologists are experienced and have attended CIEEM, eDNA training and have collected many eDNA samples for Freshwater Habitat Trust as part of the initial eDNA analysis project.
  • Habitat Suitability Assessments
    we can carry out Habitat Suitability Index (HIS) is a methodology used for assessing potential aquatic habitats quality and quantity to support great crested newt
  • We can undertake presence/likely absence and population size assessment using the following methodology
    Bottle trapping
    Torchlight survey
    Egg searches
    Netting
    Pitfall trapping

Reptile survey

Reptile is one of the most important species which we have worked with for over 9 years. We have surveyed numerous sites for present/likely absent and population size assessment. We have also completed many reptile mitigation projects from small to largest reptile translocation.

If there is potential for reptile presence on site, we can undertake reptile presence/absence surveys between April and September

Our reptile services include:

  • Initial site habitat suitability assessment to identify the need for full reptile surveys
  • Presence/absence surveys
  • Reptile capture and removal/translocation (highly experienced and effective removing reptile from development site)
  • Habitat creation and enhancement
  • Habitat manipulation to displace reptile from impacted areas
  • Destructive searches

Bat activity surveys

During peak survey season, we spend the majority of our time assisting our clients’ surveying bats, undertaking dusk emergence, dawn re-entry and transect surveys. To identify if bats are using the proposed development site for roosting, foraging.

We are experienced bat surveyors and can help you with the dusk emergence or dawn re-entry surveys, to record bats emerging from or returning to roosts as well as able to conduct transect route surveys.

If you are looking for experienced bat surveyor to lead or assist with bat activity surveys. Please get in touch,

 

 

Nesting bird survey

All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), whilst they are actively nesting. It is an offence to kill, injure and to intentionally, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built. It is also an offence to take or destroy any wild bird eggs

 

  • We can advise and conduct a pre-work survey for nesting bird.If vegetation clearing is to occur, in particular during the nesting season February – August

Badger survey

Our services for badger include:

  • Site walkover survey to determine presence of badgers, looking for field signs, such as, setts, footprints, pathways, faeces, scratching posts, snuffle holesas well as hair traces

Water vole survey

Water vole survey involves searching the banks of the water course for evidence of water vole, including:

  • Actual sightings
  • Feeding remains
  • Runs in the vegetation
  • Latrines
  • Burrows
  • Footprints
  • Grazed ‘lawns’