> Ecological Services
Badgers
LegislationBadgers are protected under the Badger Act 1992 which makes it illegal to amongst other things to:
• Prevents to kill, injure, or take any Badger; and
• Damage, destroy or obstruct access to a sett, or disturb a badger whilst it is occupying a sett.
Habitat and Survey Area
Badgers can travel large distances and have a variety of setts ranging from a main sett with several entrances and obvious signs of occupation to a single hole with no obvious signs. As badgers use different setts throughout the year a sett may still be classified as in use even if a badger has not used it recently. Setts are often associated with farmland and woodland but can also occur in other areas such as verges and gardens.
An initial assessment is usually undertaken in the form of an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey although this can be undertaken separately. The survey will determine sett locations and signs of badger occupation across the site. Such surveys are usually conducted across the entire development site and within a 30m buffer around the site as this is the distance within which a licence would be required for any activity which may affect a badger sett.
For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below.
Click to download our pdf factsheet. 
Bats
BackgroundThere are 18 species of bat within the UK. Bats have suffered in recent years from loss of habitat, both foraging habitats and roosting. A number of structures to roost such as houses, barns, bridges, caves and trees. This varies depending upon the species and time of the year. All species of bats are protected under both UK and European law in the form of the Habitats Regulations 2010 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
Habitat and Survey Area
The type of survey required depends upon the whether potential foraging habitat or roosting habitat is being assessed. If it is roosting habitats then the assessment will also very depending upon whether structure has the potential to be a summer roost or a hibernation roost. Surveys are usually conducted within the boundary of the site.
Depending upon the species, the type of activity and the impact of the development then a European Protected Species licence may be required prior to works commencing.
For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below.
Click to download our pdf factsheet. Birds
BackgroundThe UK has a diverse variety of bird species utilising a range of habitat from woodland and hedgerows to wetlands and arable land. All UK birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended which protected them from damage and destruction. Some species have additional protection which makes it an offence to disturb these species while they are nesting, this includes the building of a nest until the young fledge.
Habitat and Survey Area
Birds can be found in a variety of habitats from upland moors and lakes to gardens and hedgerows. The nesting sites also show significant variation and can not only include trees and hedgerows but buildings and open ground. Every year species of birds migrate to/from the UK during both the summer and winter.
Wintering and breeding bird surveys are usually completed to determine which species are present within and adjacent to the development site.
Nesting bird surveys are used to check for individual birds which are nesting, or in the process of nesting within the boundary of the development site.
For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below.
Click to download our pdf factsheet. Great Crested Newts
BackgroundThe great crested newt (Trituruscristatus) is one of three native species of newts found in the UK. All newts are amphibians and therefore can live on land but require water to breed. In recent years both terrestrial and aquatic habitat used by great crested newts have experienced significant decline. Due to this, great crested newts are protected under both UK and European law in the form of the Habitats Regulations 2010 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
Habitat and Survey AreaGreat crested newts will utilise vegetation within static water bodies including ponds and ditches to lay their eggs. Young great crested newts and adults which are not breeding will also use terrestrial habitat. Woodland, rough grassland and scrub are preferred and this species will commute to these areas via hedgerows and other features.
Where possible, all ponds within 500m of the proposed development site boundary are surveyed as this species can travel between ponds across land.
Depending upon the species, the type of activity and the impact of the development then a European Protected Species licence may be required prior to works commencing. For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below.
Click to download our pdf factsheet. Habitat Surveys
Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
This survey is the most common ecological survey. The purpose of the survey is to identify the habitats present within the survey boundary and identify the likelihood that these habitats would support any UK, European or internationally protected flora and fauna.
The results of this survey can then be used to determine the need for any further species specific surveys.
Click to download our pdf factsheet. National Vegetation Classification (NVC) Survey
NVC surveys are used on site where there is considered to be important or potentially important habitats and floral species. This survey provides additional details to the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey, including full floral species lists and the categorisation of habitats in accordance with floristic tables in British Plant Communities (Rodwell, 1998).
Tree Surveys
Tree surveys are conducted on all sites where trees are present regardless of whether they are scheduled for removal or not. The reason for this is that many construction activities have the potential to damage root systems and impact on the health of the tree. The surveys are conducted to British Standard "Trees in relation to construction - Recommendations" BS5837:2005. These surveys record the size, age and health of the tree and inform any protection measures which need to be implemented.
Hedgerow Surveys
Hedgerows within or surrounding a site should be assessed to determine whether they are classified as ‘important hedgerows’ under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997. This is based on a number of criteria including age, number of species and adjacent habitats. It is illegal to remove an important hedgerow or sections of them without the consent of the Local Authority.
For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below.
Click to download our pdf factsheet.
Hazel Dormouse
LegislationThis species is listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) as well as Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 making them a European Protected Species.
Habitat and Survey Area
The hazel dormouse lives in areas of woodland, hedgerows and scrub and is mainly found in southern England. They feed on nuts and fruits from a variety of species as well as invertebrates. Hazel dormice hibernate from late October to May. Hazel dormouse numbers have declined due to habitat loss, fragmentation and inappropriate woodland management.
Surveys are usually conducted across the entire development site.
For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below.
Click to download our pdf factsheet. Otters
LegislationOtters are listed on Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 making them a European Protected Species. They are also are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). This makes it illegal amongst other things to:
• Kill or injure an otter;
• Disturb otters; and
• Damage, destroy or obstruct any place otters use for shelter.
Both species are listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) and many Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs).
Habitat and Survey Area
Otters can be found in rivers, streams and ponds. Otters will also use a variety of resting places while feeding or commuting. Such resting places may include areas of long grassland, scrub and under tree roots as short-term shelters. For breeding, female otters require an area near to a water course. Often the entrances are concealed beneath the water surface. Otters can travel significant distances over land between potential food sources and areas where they rest on these journeys can also be considered to be protected.
Surveys are usually completed along the section of water which may be affected by the proposed works, both directly and indirectly, as well as a buffer zone which will depend upon the nature of the proposed works.
For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below.
Click to download our pdf factsheet. Reptiles
BackgroundThere are four common reptile species in the UK; adder, grass snake, slow worm and common lizard. These species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Two other rarer species, the sand lizard and the smooth snake, also have additional protection.
Habitat and Survey AreaReptiles can be found in a variety of habitats ranging from upland moors to gardens. Numbers are usually higher in the south of the UK due to the higher temperatures and longer summers.
Surveys are usually conducted across the entire development site.
For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below. Click to download our pdf factsheet. Water Voles
LegislationWater Voles are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). This makes it illegal amongst other things to:
• Kill or injure a water vole;
• Disturb water voles; and
• Damage, destroy or obstruct any place water voles use for shelter.
Both species are listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) and many Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs).
Habitat and Survey Area
Water vole surveys can be found in rivers, streams and ponds. Water voles use water as a cover to escape predators and as such do not venture far from water. They also dig burrows along the banks of water bodies.
Surveys are usually completed along the section of water which may be affected by the proposed works, both directly and indirectly, as well as a buffer zone which will depend upon the nature of the proposed works.
For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below.
Click to download our pdf factsheet. White Clawed Crayfish
LegislationWhite-clawed crayfish are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). They are also listed under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 as well as on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) and some Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) making them a priority for conservation efforts.
Habitat and Survey Area
White-clawed crayfish favour hard-water rivers and streams but can be found in various water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs. Their numbers have declined significantly due to competition and disease from the introduced North American signal crayfish.
Surveys are usually completed along the section of water which may be affected by the proposed works, both directly and indirectly, as well as a buffer zonewhich will depend upon the nature of the proposed works.
For further survey information and details of the services which we offer please download the fact sheet below.
Click to download our pdf factsheet. 
