| Ecological Surveys |
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Vegetation
Vegetation forms a vital component of any ecosystem, providing shelter and food for many higher organisms. HEL provides a variety of vegetation and habitat surveys, ensuring that flora is fully considered as part of any HEL produced EcIA.
Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
HEL uses an extended version of the JNCC Phase 1 Habitat Survey to identify and classify habitat types. Habitats are mapped on a suitably scaled field map and detailed target notes made of any features of interest. These target notes can be tailored to need, with particular species/features highlighted as required. Digital maps are produced to illustrate the extent and location of different habitat types. |
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Case Study: Borrow Pit Planning Applications
HEL undertook extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys at the request of Scottish & Southern Energy in relation to a series of proposed borrow pit sites across Scotland. The study sites included the proposed borrow pit locations and appropriate disturbance zones around each location. A variety of habitat types were recorded and the results of these surveys have been vital in evaluating the vegetation resource of each site. |
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National Vegetation Classification (NVC) Survey
A NVC survey provides greater detail than a Phase 1 Habitat Survey and is usually undertaken when more information about important habitats/vegetation is required. Vegetation communities are classified according to British Plant Communities: Volumes 1-5 (Rodwell, et seq.). HEL’s team of ecologists can undertake NVC surveys in any natural or semi-natural habitat within the UK. Digital maps are produced to illustrate the extent and location of vegetation communities. |
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Case Study: Isle of Rùm NVC Survey
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) commissioned HEL to undertake a NVC survey of the Isle of Rùm potential Special Area for Conservation (pSPA). Fieldwork was undertaken during the 1997 & 1998 field seasons and resulted in the entire Isle of Rùm (~10,800ha) being surveyed. The survey recorded 35 separate vegetation communities ranging from Nardus stricta – Galium saxatile grasslands (U5) to Stellaria media – Rumex acetosa seabird cliff communities (MC7). This survey has provided important information on the vegetation communities found on the Isle of Rùm and helped inform subsequent management decisions. |
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Habitat Condition Assessment
HEL is able to undertake habitat condition assessments of any site within the UK. Please contact us to discuss your requirements. |
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Case Study: Isle of Rùm Habitat Condition Assessment
HEL was commissioned to undertake a habitat condition assessment of the Isle of Rùm concurrently with the NVC survey detailed above. Using a methodology based upon guidance from SNH, HEL described the ‘current state’ of each NVC community and provided a measure of the intensity of land-use impact. |
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Protected Mammals
At HEL we can offer both general protected mammal surveys and species specific surveys relevant to your project. HEL can provide advice and surveys for the following protected mammals; badger, otter, pine marten, red squirrel, water vole and wildcat. Information on bat surveys can be found on the bat survey page. Surveys for Biodiversity Action Plan species (e.g. Brown hare and Hedgehog) can also be undertaken.
HEL’s initial protected mammal surveys consist of an experienced mammal surveyor systematically surveying the development site, all evidence of protected species is recorded and mapped.
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In the past, further protected species work for the client has included; applying for a licence (for badger, otter and wildcat) on the clients behalf; monitoring using a camera trap; exclusion and destruction of resting up sites; construction of artificial places of shelter; setting up exclusion zones and the provision of an ecological clerk of works. |
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Case Study – Annan to Gretna Railway Line Re-doubling
In 2007 HEL was commissioned by Carillion Plc to undertake an update survey of the re-doubling of the Annan to Gretna railway line. This project focussed on surveying for badger activity, noted in the previous survey, along the railway line and surrounding area.
Extensive evidence of badger was recorded along the railway line in the form of a series of setts, paths and a latrine.
A licence was gained from the Rural Directorate at the Scottish Government (RDSG) to exclude and destroy 5 holes (within annexe setts) to allow construction works to proceed. Badger fencing was erected in certain areas to exclude badger from returning to annexe setts that were to be destroyed. Barrier fencing was erected between the works and the main sett to minimise disturbance to badgers and to ensure no work took place beyond the barrier fence screen.
The Annan to Gretna line re-doubling has been a success and disturbance to badger was minimal due to the careful design and mitigation of this project. |
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Bats
British bats and their roosts are protected under UK and European law, and any planned activity in Scotland, which may affect them, requires prior consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). At HEL we have extensive experience of licence applications and have a good relationship with the licensing body, the Rural Directorate at the Scottish Government (RDSG).
Roost Emergence/Return Surveys
Bat roost emergence/return surveys are carried out on trees and structures that have the potential to support bat roosts. Surveyors record points of emergence and use bat detectors and Anabat recorders to confirm bat species present.
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Internal and External Building Surveys
All buildings within a development site are assessed for their potential to provide bat roosts, both internally and externally. All buildings with suitability for bat roosts will be subject to roost emergence/return surveys.
Tree Roost Inspection
All Scottish bats will roost in trees to some degree. Therefore a survey of trees that are to be affected by a development is essential. Where considered necessary, trees will be climbed (by qualified tree climbers) and inspected with the use of an endoscope.
Activity Surveys
Bat activity surveys are undertaken to determine the use of a site by foraging and commuting bats.
Wind Farm Surveys
Using up-to-date guidelines HEL has devised a wind farm bat activity survey method. This involves experienced bat surveyors following a transect route through the proposed site using bat detectors and Anabat recorders to identify bats utilising the site. Bat activity surveys are also carried out at height using an Anabat recorder attached to a balloon, to determine whether any high flying bat species are present.
Remote Surveys
HEL has undertaken remote surveys to detect the presence of bats. This is particularly useful for potential winter sites where an Anabat recorder can be left for long periods of time and recorded data can be analysed later. |
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Case Study: Bertram House
HEL was requested to undertake a bat survey of Bertram House, a large country house that was to be converted into residential flats. Five bat roosts were identified within the roof space and a Bat Protection Plan was produced to advise on mitigation requirements.
A licence was gained from the RDSG to temporarily exclude bats from the roost that was being utilised and to destroy the remaining four inactive roosts during renovation. Twelve bat boxes were also erected on trees within the development site.
The exclusion was successful and the roof was carefully demolished in the presence of a licensed SNH Bat Worker. Additional roosts were also included within the new roof design, as part of the licence requirements. |
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Birds
At Heritage Environmental Ltd we are able to carry out a range of surveys on breeding, wintering or migratory birds. Details of the various surveys that HEL undertakes are given below.
Breeding Bird Survey
Breeding Bird Surveys are undertaken in order to provide a population count of birds within a given survey area. The breeding status of birds is assessed based upon behavioural characteristics. A minimum of two visits is undertaken and results from all survey visits are cross-referenced and analysed to ensure that an accurate census of bird species is produced. |
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Vantage Point (VP) Flight Activity Surveys
HEL has considerable experience of planning and carrying out vantage point surveys on a variety of wind farm and infrastructure projects. VP flight activity surveys record bird species, flight paths, flight heights and flight durations. This information can then be used to inform flight collision models. Using specialist GIS software, HEL is able to locate the optimum vantage points for any site, giving the maximum coverage of any development site.
Species Specific Surveys
Specific surveys are undertaken to reliably record presence/absence, or provide a population count, of a specific species of bird. Utilising the latest guidance, HEL is able to survey any species of British bird and provide a reliable estimate of its population.
Nesting Bird Checks
The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 makes it is an offence to damage or destroy the nest (whilst in use or under construction) or eggs of a wild bird. With an ever changing climate, many bird species are now nesting earlier in the season, or even into autumn and winter. HEL can carry out checks for nesting birds immediately prior to a development, which enables the client to stay within the boundaries of the law.
Bird species occurring on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (i.e. barn owl Tytus alba) are given enhanced statutory protection which makes it an offence to disturb the bird at its nest. HEL’s team of ornithologists are fully licensed by Scottish Natural Heritage to undertake surveys for these species. |
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Case Study – Goose Collision Risk Assessment (Aultmore Wind Farm, Moray)
Monitoring of goose flight lines was carried out over two consecutive winters at the proposed Aultmore wind farm site. The purpose of the monitoring was to predict the likely level of collision by geese with wind turbines, and hence to predict whether there is likely to be a significant adverse effect on the Moray and Nairn Coast SPA and the Loch Spynie SPA. |
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Freshwater Fauna
HEL has the in-house expertise to provide professional, successful amphibian and freshwater pearl mussel surveys and mitigation.
Freshwater Pearl Mussel
Freshwater pearl mussel populations have been suffering a decline in numbers within the past few decades. This is due to many factors adversely affecting populations of freshwater pearl mussel including; pearl fishing, reduction in water quality, a decline in populations of host fish and habitat removal/alteration. |
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Freshwater pearl mussel are afforded full protection under UK law and a licence from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is required for intensive freshwater pearl mussel surveys in Scotland. HEL has held licences for surveying for freshwater pearl mussel for a diverse range of development projects, including hydro scheme and wind farm projects.
All watercourses that are to be affected by a development are assessed for their suitability for supporting a population of freshwater pearl mussel. If a watercourse is deemed suitable, then an intensive freshwater pearl mussel survey is undertaken. This consists of a minimum of 2 experienced surveyors using glass bottom buckets to scan the river bed for freshwater pearl mussel.
Amphibians
All amphibians have some protection under UK law. Additionally, both great crested newt and natterjack toads have full protection under UK and European law, and any planned activity in Scotland which may affect them requires prior consultation with SNH.
Any standing water bodies and associated habitat within 500m of a proposed development site are assessed for their suitability to support great crested newt. Any water bodies that are considered to be suitable are then subject to further survey at night by torchlight (combined with netting surveys and egg searches) between mid-March and mid-June. |
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Case Study – Gartcosh Industrial Park
HEL has undertaken a considerable amount of work regarding great crested newt at Gartcosh Industrial Park, a former steelworks east of Glasgow.
Great crested newt were identified within the development area during the initial scoping survey. This led to the formation of Gartcosh Nature Reserve. The nature reserve was formed under the supervision of an ecological clerk of works and included the creation of 24 ponds, artificial hibernacula, a newt proof wall surrounding the reserve and the translocation of several habitat types. In addition, HEL produced a management plan for the Nature Reserve.
A large-scale, licensed translocation of all amphibians from the development site into the newly created nature reserve ponds was undertaken with great success. Monitoring work carried out in subsequent years confirmed the successful translocation of great crested newt and other amphibians. |
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Reptiles & Terrestrial Invertebrates
HEL provides advice on and surveys for reptiles and terrestrial invertebrates relevant to specific projects. Where required, HEL can also implement mitigation and translocation measures.
Reptiles
Reptiles in Britain are in decline largely due to loss, modification and fragmentation of habitat through agricultural intensification and development. To address this trend, reptiles are protected from intentional or reckless killing and injuring (which includes developments which fail to fulfil reptile survey and mitigation measure requirements) by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. In Scotland this applies to adder, common lizard and slow worm. |
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Reptile surveys combine visual searches, artificial refugia installation, monitoring and tinning exercises. Reptile surveys can be carried out in spring (April – June) or autumn (in September). Reptile surveys are recommended by HEL when a desk study and/or an initial walkover survey suggest the presence of protected reptiles or suitable habitat. Reptile mitigation, including exclusion wall construction and habitat creation, and translocation can also be carried out where necessary by HEL.
Terrestrial Invertebrates
In Scotland there are an estimated 14,000 terrestrial invertebrate species, 19 of which are priority species within the UK (their populations occur entirely or mostly in Scotland), and for which a series of priority Action Plans exist.
HEL can provide presence/absence surveys of terrestrial invertebrates where BAP Priority, BAP Species of Conservation Concern or BAP candidate species may be affected. Terrestrial invertebrate surveys can be carried out between May and September. HEL can also conduct subsequent translocation projects for terrestrial invertebrates to new unaffected suitable habitat (either natural or created), and has experience of such activities with butterflies. |
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Case Study – Ravenscraig Grayling Translocation and Habitat Creation
In 2006 HEL was commissioned by Ravenscraig Ltd. to create and implement a management plan for grayling butterfly (a regionally rare and candidate BAP species) found to be present at the Ravenscraig former steelworks redevelopment site during previous ecological baseline surveys. In order to satisfy planning conditions issued by North Lanarkshire Council as the Planning Authority, HEL’s aim was to maintain the favourable conservation status of grayling butterfly at Ravenscraig, one of just two known inland colonies in Scotland.
Suitable habitat was created within an on-site conservation area, in close proximity to woodland/scrub for feeding and shelter, and adult butterflies were translocated to temporary flight-proof release cages in order to colonise the compensatory habitat. Since the grayling butterfly were found to be particularly associated with the bare ground habitat formed by steel slag which was due to be lost to development, steel slag substrate was translocated from the development area to the conservation area and modified to include features important to grayling butterfly, including ponds for feeding and topographical diversity. Turves of fine-leaved grasses were established as egg laying and larval development habitat prior to the translocation of colonising adults. |
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