For details of some of our recent work, please select from the list of project types below.
Reptile and Great Crested Newt Survey: The site is a linear route close to the city of Oxford where the impacts of the route need to be assessed to design a mitigation package as part of an Ecological Impact Assessment. Reptiles were surveyed for using 120 tins along the route for six weeks, while three lakes and three large ponds were subject to Great Crested Newt Surveys between April and May.
Extended Phase I, Reptile, Preliminary Bat, Bat Emergence Surveys and a European Protected Species Licence: A disused factory site was subject to a Phase I survey, which identified reptiles and bats as likely to be present. The reptile survey showed a good population of Slow Worms and a low population of Grass Snakes, allowing a mitigation package to be developed to preserve them on the site. The bat surveys located three minor Lesser Horseshoe bat roosts and two minor common Pipistrelle roosts on the site, leading to a full mitigation package with two replacement roosts as part of a European Protected Species Licence.
Extended Phase I, Reptile and Bat Activity Survey: The Extended Phase I Survey Identified Reptiles and Bats as possible constraints to the site. A full Reptile Survey across the summer and autumn proved likely absence of reptiles. The Bat Activity Surveys identified the adjacent lake as an important foraging area for Daubenton's, Natterer's and Pipistrelle bats, as was the southern hedge and tree-line, also used by commuting bats. A full mitigation package was developed and agreed with the Local Planning Authority.
Extended Phase I Survey, Badger Survey, Reptile Survey and Bat Activity Survey: This site is a former factory next to a Site of Nature Conservation Interest that is proposed to be developed for housing. Badgers were identified on the site with a large main sett and annex setts identified and mapped out. An Extended Phase I Survey identified the need for a reptile and bat activity survey of the site to gauge likely use. These confirmed limited use by bats and no reptiles present, while a full mitigation plan was developed for Badgers and agreed with the Local Planning Authority and Natural England to allow the development to proceed and the Badgers to continue using the site.
Walkover Survey, HSI Assessment for GCNs and Desk Study: A 1960s site required an initial walkover survey and desk study to inform a planning decision on this brownfield site on the rural edge of London's commuter belt. Two ponds on-site underwent a Habitat Suitability Index Assessment to gauge their suitability for great crested newts. Issues identified for the site included great crested newts, reptiles, breeding birds and bats.
A desk study assessment of reports and web based data was commissioned to support a planning bid for a site in the heart of the historic city of Oxford. Issues identified for the site were: the presence of an adjacent Site of Nature Conservation Interest, the potential use of the site by bats and reptiles and the presence of remnant chalk grassland.
If you have any questions or would like more information on the above, please call Principal Ecologist Mark Satinet on 01993 864 958 or email info@4acreecology.co.uk.