Habitat Surveys

Phase 1 Habitat Survey / UKHabs

Geckoella offers Phase 1 habitat assessments as well as the new UKHabs Classification assessments. Our ecologists visit the site to assess and map the conservation value and type of habitats and to list characteristic plant species. We can cover any terrestrial, freshwater or coastal environment, as well as offering biotope surveys for inter-tidal areas.

Phase 2 Botanical Survey

Detailed botanical surveys can include National Vegetation Classification (NVC), hedgerow, veteran tree, arable margins, vascular plant population or community assessments to CIEEM recommended standards.

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) typically comprises a desk study, habitat survey and an assessment of suitability of the site for protected or notable species. For simple sites and projects then it may also include an initial assessment of likely ecological impacts and potential constraints, and recommendations for mitigation. It may also identify what further surveys may be needed, for example, detailed protected species surveys.

Ecological Impact Assessment

 An Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) evaluates the ecology of a site and sets out likely effects of proposed developments on terrestrial, freshwater, marine or coastal features according to a standard approach and criteria set out by the CIEEM. These effects may be positive or negative, and increasingly will incorporate Biodiversity Net Gain and nature-based solutions in order to demonstrate a high-quality development as appropriate to gaining planning permission. Geckoella can provide an EcIA as a stand-alone report, as may be required by a relatively small development, up to a chapter in an Environmental Impact Assessment that requires a clear description of ecological issues alongside a wide range of other topics. Our geological and heritage experience enables us to advise on complex and nuanced approaches that achieve cross-sector benefits.

Site Ecologist or ECoW (Ecological Clerk of Works)

We offer experienced Ecological Clerk of Works service for all sizes and types of development, from small individual sites to large infrastructure projects such as Hinkley Point C Connection and East-West Rail.

Developments often require a specialist to be on-call to reduce risk of harm to the natural or built heritage. Our team are trained in resolving on-site issues quickly, safely and effectively, enabling works to progress smoothly whilst addressing planning and other requirements. Our range of expertise means that we can work in sites with wildlife, geological and heritage requirements, or any combination of these. We combine our specialist knowledge with practical construction experience, appropriate certifications (CSCS), training and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

Landscape-scale Conservation, Nature Reserve Monitoring and Management

Geckoella can help with nature reserve monitoring and management advice for terrestrial, wetland, coastal and inter-tidal conservation. Habitats such as woodland and wetlands require a very long-term view and approach, and a keen understanding of the processes of regeneration that contribute to the value of the site for wildlife. Management can be challenging, particularly in the context of climate change. Current rewilding initiatives and nature-based solutions at the landscape-scale offer opportunities to re-link semi-natural habitats and form Nature Recovery Networks. Success will require commitment and partnership working, and a sound evidence base to target activities to those areas most likely to deliver benefits to wildlife and people.

Planning permission, Protected Species Licenses, Mitigation, Compensation and Biodiversity Net Gain

Geckoella can advise on the practical measures required for projects to obtain planning and other permissions.

This includes working with Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation (Natural England, Natural Resource Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage). Development control and species licensing processes can be complex and we can guide you on the best way through for success.

The science and practice of how to integrate ecology with development is constantly improving and evolving. With new approaches such as Biodiversity Net Gain, nature-based solutions and Nature Recovery Networks emerging from the Environment Act 2021, Geckoella can make the most of emerging techniques to demonstrate a high quality project and help to obtain the paperwork necessary for projects to proceed.

Among our specialist services are soil sampling and analysis to support Biodiversity Net Gain plans.

Bat Surveys

Bats in the UK roost in trees and structures, and may use hedgerows, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands and other habitats as foraging habitat. Geckoella uses the latest survey techniques to establish what species may be using a feature, and the time of year at which they may be present, and has the necessary licenses required to use, for example hand-held net trapping, static detector surveys, transect activity surveys, emergence surveys, roost visits, hibernation checks and endoscope surveying. Thermal and Infra-red cameras are the latest addition to our range of survey techniques. Geckoella also offers specialist expertise in efficient large-scale acoustic survey for major infrastructure and have surveyors trained in tree climbing.

Survey work for bats is seasonally constrained and needs to be carefully planned; bat activity surveys can generally only be carried out between April and October.  Meanwhile, December to February are key periods for hibernation roost surveys.

Different roost types have different levels of nature conservation significance. For example, a maternity roost for a rare bat such as Bechstein’s Myotis bechsteinii or grey long eared bat Plecotus austriacus is likely to be more important than a roost occasionally used by low numbers of more common species like soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus. There will therefore be a variety of requirements expected of developers by local authorities and the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (Natural England, Natural Resource Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage, Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service), depending on the potential impacts on wildlife of a particular development. In some cases, works may proceed under a Method Statement or Low Impact Class License; in others than a full European Species Mitigation Licence may be required, and a Local Planning Authority would need full information about the wildlife present, and the details of the mitigation that would be put in place, to accompany a planning application.

Geckoella can help you efficiently navigate these various planning and license requirements.

Badger Surveys

Badgers (Meles meles) and their setts are protected in England and Wales under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, making it illegal to:

• Wilfully kill, injure, take, possess or cruelly ill-treat a badger,
• Damage/destroy/obstruct their setts, or
• Disturb a badger in a sett

Due to their protected status, a mitigation plan is required for projects that could disturb or pose a threat to badgers and their habitats. Without a suitable plan to avoid threatening badger habitat, planning permission may be refused.

Walkover badger surveys can be conducted at any time of year, and involves identifying any badger setts on site, together with signs such as trails, footprints, latrines, droppings, hairs, scratch marks, spoil heaps, and signs of feeding. If badger presence is confirmed, our surveyors will classify any setts (main, annexe, subsidiary or outlier) and map entrances, badger paths and latrines to inform the mitigation plan.

Further survey to determine the use of setts by badgers can be carried out if needed, including the use of motion triggered trail cameras to monitor the sett.

Bird Surveys

Geckoella can also provide a range of bird surveys for all other species. All birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) whilst breeding. This legislation protects nests, eggs and unfledged young from damage, or destruction. Species listed under Schedule 1 of the WCA 1981 (as amended), have additional protection, which makes it an offence to disturb a bird while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird.

We can offer:

• Nesting Bird Surveys
  Conducted within breeding season (Typically March-September) to ensure there are no active birds nest present on site prior to commencing works.

• Breeding Bird Surveys
  This type of survey can be used to identify species breeding on site as well as their abundance and distribution during the breeding season (March-June).

• Wintering Bird Surveys
  These are conducted to determine the species composition and numbers present at potentially important wintering sites, allowing an assessment of the site importance to be made.

The type of bird survey required will depend on the nature of the site and any planned works. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss which type of bird survey you require.

Dormouse Surveys

The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) was once widespread across the UK, however habitat loss and fragmentation has contributed to the significant decline in population. The current dormouse range is Southern England and South Wales and along the English/Welsh border, but their distribution is patchy. Although dormouse is usually associated with broadleaved woodlands, they also live in a variety of habitats including rural gardens, reed beds, scrub land, coniferous forests and hedgerows.

Hazel dormice can be affected by a variety of works, including: woodland and hedgerow management, woodland clearance, hedgerow removal and noise and lighting. Dormice are protected under UK law: the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It’s an offence to kill them, capture or disturb them, or damage their habitat.

The dormouse is also a Species of Principal Importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England/Wales (under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, 2006).  

Dormouse surveys should be carried out in the active season, typically from April to November. First, a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal may highlight the requirement for a dormouse survey dependent on habitat and historical records. Then a combination of nest-tube and nest box surveys, nut searches and searching for wild nests can be carried out to determine the presence of hazel dormice.

Dependent upon the development proposals and survey results, Geckoella may propose a variety of mitigation solutions. Some mitigations strategies must be undertaken under a European Protected Species licence from Natural England, which Geckoella can help arrange.

Otter Surveys

The UK otter population is estimated to be around 10,300, though the species underwent a sudden and catastrophic decline throughout much of Britain in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The cause was likely the combined effects of pollution and habitat destruction, particularly the drainage of wet areas. Otters require very clean rivers with abundant food supply and bankside vegetation, offering secluded sites for their holts. There is now evidence of the species recovering and extending their range – but populations are still fragmented and not widespread.

Otters (Lutra lutra) are fully protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and are a European Protected Species. It is illegal to: 

• Deliberately capture, injure, kill, or disturb otters,
• Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure/place used for shelter or protection, or
• Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place. 

Geckoella can undertake a survey of your site for otters throughout the year, including alongside other surveys such as a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. Our surveyors will search for: droppings (spraints), feeding remains, holts (permanent places of shelter), lying-up areas, footprints and other areas of habitat suitable for otters.

Should an otter holt or laying-up area be in close proximity to a development site, where it is likely that the otters may be disturbed or harmed, a licence from Natural England may be required. We can help design and implement site specific mitigation that will be suitable for a planning application and ensure minimal impacts on the species.

Reptile Surveys

There are 6 native species of terrestrial reptiles in the UK, and they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). This means that it an offence to intentionally kill or injure any native British reptile, and, as a protected species, are considered a material consideration by Local Authorities in the determination of planning applications. All British reptiles are UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) priority species. The sand lizard and smooth snake are European Protected Species and receive further protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.,with ecologists requiring NE/CWW licences in order to carry out a survey.

Reptiles are found in a variety of habitats, from heathland and woodland to wasteland, brownfield sites and gardens. The need for a reptile survey is usually identified as part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA), where suitable habitat is present. Reptile surveys can be carried out between March and October, with Spring and Autumn being the best times.  Felt mats, or refugia, will be set out on site and left to ‘settle’ for a period. Artificial refugia can then be checked over several survey visits, during transects.

Water Vole Surveys

Britian’s largest vole, the water vole (Arvicola amphibius), live within the banks of water bodies such as slow-running rivers, ponds and ditches in both urban and rural areas. They are the fastest declining wild mammal in Britain, thought to be caused by habitat loss and the introduction of American Mink (Neovision vison).

Water voles are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

It is an offence to:

• Kill, injure or take a water vole
• Intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy its place of shelter e.g. a burrow
• Intentionally or recklessly disturb a water vole when it is occupying a place of shelter
• Sell, buy or possess a water vole 

Geckoella can offer water vole surveys as part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal or independently. Our surveyors will observe characteristic field signs including droppings, latrines, feeding signs, footprints, pathways and burrows as well as recording individuals encountered. Optimal survey period is from March to October and generally two surveys are required to confirm water vole presence.

Geckoella can then appropriate mitigation for projects that may affect water vole.

White-clawed Crayfish Surveys

The white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes is Britain’s only native crayfish species. It can be found in streams, rivers, reservoirs and water-filled quarries. The white-clawed crayfish has seen a dramatic decline in population in recent decades, primarily due to the introduction of the non-native species North American signal crayfish, which can carry a disease known as ‘crayfish plague’.

Due to this decline, the species is now listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and is also included in Appendix III of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and V of the European Habitats and Species Directive. If works are proposed within, or in close proximity to a suitable waterbody, it is important to determine if white-clawed crayfish are present and whether the proposed works will impact on the species.

White-clawed crayfish surveys can be carried out between July-September. Crayfish presence can be determined through a combination of refuge sampling, baited trapping and torchlight surveying.

Should white-clawed crayfish be present near the development site, where it is likely that the crayfish may be disturbed or harmed by the works, it may be necessary to translocate the crayfish to a safe area of suitable habitat. This will require a conservation licence from Natural England, which will require detailed mitigation which Geckoella can set out.