Reptile Surveys
The two rarer reptile species (the Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake) are European Protected species, while the four common species of reptile are only protected under British law from death or injury.
Reptile surveys should be carried out between April and October, with the optimum months being April, May and September. Surveys should also be undertaken when the air temperature is between 9 and 18 degrees centigrade in mainly dry conditions. Visual searches and the use of artificial refugia are the two forms of survey, the latter placing 'tins' (half square metre refuges of corrugated iron and/or roofing felt) to encourage reptiles to use them and therefore be more easily observed.
If reptiles are found to be present on-site they need to be accommodated within the development, or provided for as close to the site as possible. Habitat can be enhanced to provide better conditions for reptiles, with a mosaic of habitat offering basking areas, foraging habitat and hibernacula for both night-time and winter resting sites.
Site mitigation often involves habitat retention and enhancement, reptile fencing to prevent injury or death and translocations to new receptor sites.
View some examples of our Reptile Survey projects >
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.
