For details of some of our recent work, please select from the list of project types below.
Great Crested Newt Survey: A greenfield site adjacent to a golf course, this had Great Crested Newts identified previously in the area. A total of 20 ponds were subject to Habitat Suitability Index Assessments which lead to 11 of them being surveyed for GCNs. There was a medium meta-population of GCNs identified across the 7 ponds that had a breeding population.
Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) Assessment, Preliminary Bat Survey, Emergence Survey and European Protected Species Licence: This was a former farm house and outbuildings with some land containing ponds. The initial surveys identified roosting bats in the main house, with other roosts in the outbuildings, but that development work would not affect Great Crested Newts and they were unlikely to be in the fish-stocked on-site ponds. Emergence surveys of a barn to be converted informed the mitigation required in an EPSL, that created two replacement roosts for Natterer's and Brown Long-eared bats in the roofs of on-site buildings to compensate for the conversion of the large barn.
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 Survey and Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index Assessment and method statement: An Extended Phase I survey was carried out, including HSI assessments of adjacent ponds. This concluded that GCNs were present in the area, but the small scale of the development on an area not identified as GCN habitat did not require a licence and could proceed under a method statement agreed with the Local Planning Authority.
Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index Assessment and Method Statement: A Great Crested Newt HSI Assessment was carried out on two ponds to determine if GCNs were still likely to be present following destruction of adjacent habitat. A method statement was designed to re-instate the habitat.
Extended Phase I Survey and Great Crested Newt Method Statement: An Extended Phase I Survey of this greenfield site identified a number of semi-improved grassland fields and a local population of Great Crested Newts. A method statement was developed to allow the low impact development of some gallops to proceed, with mitigation designed to enhance the ponds for Great Crested Newts.
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.
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.