A roundup of our ecology news and activities for Autumn.
Ecological assessment of development sites
We continue to carry out ecological assessments at this time of year (autumn and winter), although the evidence of the presence of some species may not be found at present. However, we can usually detect potential for presence, and a single survey may still be sufficient.
At other sites, the need to do further more detailed surveys can be identified now, and booked in for the following year.
In winter, with less field work to do, it’s a good time for us to apply for mitigation licences. A licence may be required before development can proceed at a site where there would be an impact on a European Protected Species (e.g. Bats, Great Crested Newt, Dormouse or Otter). In other instances, a Work Method Statement or Reasonable Avoidance Measures have been sufficient.
Enhancements at development sites
As well as essential mitigation, enhancements are also required at all development sites. We aim to provide clients with suggestions for enhancements so that these can be included in our ecological assessment and added to landscape plans, before submission to planning. We can also draw up simple Biodiversity Management Plans or Habitat Enhancement Schemes, which may be requested by the planning authority as a condition, after planning permission has been granted.
Currently we are drawing up plans for a number of sites, where such plans have been conditioned.
Invasive species
We are increasingly being asked to draw up Invasive Species Method Statements, for invasive fauna and flora species.
Great crested newt and bats
If there is a reasonable likelihood of great crested newt or bats using a site it is important to carry out as early an assessment as possible to ensure that any potential impacts can be identified and further surveys conducted.
With a strict survey season running only from March to June for great crested newt and May to September for bats, it is essential to get these surveys done within this time frame to avoid potentially delaying the project by another year.
2019 has been another busy year for ecological assessments on development sites, with several progressing to full newt surveys and more detailed bat surveys. However, by carrying out thorough surveys at the initial stages, we were able to avoid further detailed Great Crested Newt surveys on some sites, and avoid or reduce further bat activity survey effort on many buildings.
By avoiding and/or reducing unnecessary detailed surveys, costs and delays to the client can often be significantly reduced.
Vegetation and plant surveys
Most development sites require a plant survey as part of the ecological assessment.
Currently Kate, as county recorder for Montgomeryshire, is surveying many under-recorded areas, as the recording period for the next national distribution atlas ends this year.
Reptiles
We continue to assist with the management of a site with its own population of slow-worm and some additional animals have been trans-located here from a small development site.
Dormouse
We remain involved with the monitoring of two sites in Shropshire and Powys for dormouse; the site in Powys is being monitored as a requirement of the mitigation licence.
We have handed over the Shropshire site, which we have monitored for several years, to the Shropshire Dormouse Group, having ensured that a large number of the old boxes have been replaced.
Veteran trees
We are currently coordinating surveys for invertebrates and other species groups in a registered park in South Shropshire, where there are several veteran trees. This project has started in October 2019 and is likely to be an exciting project resulting in records of great interest.