Survey Calendar

Badger surveys

Initial assessment

During the Extended Phase I Survey, the site is searched for any signs of badger use and particularly any badger setts that may be on site. If a badger sett is found and the plans will have an impact within 20 metres of it, Phase II surveys may be required.

Phase II surveys

If a badger sett is located within the boundaries of a planning scheme, Phase II badger surveys using a camera trap may be required to determine if a sett is active and what type of sett it is. These surveys may be undertaken at any time of year, however February-April and October-November are the most suitable times to do the survey.

Barn Owl surveys

Most Barn Owl nests or roosts can be found during a detailed search of the premise for signs of pellets, feathers, nest debris or faeces.

This search can be undertaken as part of a Phase I survey, or separately at any time of the year. However, nesting surveys (to determine if it is an active nest) can only be undertaken during the nesting season, considered to be March to June. Wintering surveys can also be undertaken during November to February.

If it is unknown if a nest is currently active, trail cameras may also occasionally be used. However, their use is restricted due to possible disturbance to the owls.

Bat survey

A building can be inspected for bats any time of year. Phase II summer roost surveys involve between one and three emergence and/or re-entry surveys. They must be undertaken during the active survey season (May - September) and spaced out by at least two weeks. If a structure has high potential or a confirmed roost, two of the three surveys must be carried out by the end of August.

Phase II bat emergence survey

Bat activity surveys are used to establish important commuting or foraging routes or areas of habitat used by bats. This may require several visits throughout the survey season.

Phase II bat activity survey

Breeding bird survey

The UK has many internationally and nationally important bird species. There are 67 "red-listed" birds on the Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC) list including 49 species "of principal importance for the purpose of conserving biodiversity" within Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

Large sites or sites with rare habitat for birds may require breeding bird surveys to determine if rare birds are using the site and which features are most important, so that appropriate mitigation can be implemented. A breeding bird survey involves several dawn site visits during the spring when the majority of breeding bird species can be found.

A Phase II dormouse survey is undertaken by setting out nest tubes and/or boxes in woodland (particularly around Hazel) and hedgerows. The tubes/boxes are checked many times between April and November to search for evidence of dormice. Evidence includes droppings, summer nests and dormice themselves. The ground can also be searched for gnawed Hazel nuts and this check can be carried out at any time of year, although late autumn is the most preferred time.

Phase II dormouse survey

Phase I habitat survey

An Extended Phase I Habitat Survey or Preliminary Ecological Assessment is the first step in assessing the potential ecological effects (or lack of) for a proposed development. It enables us to assess the ecological value of the site, classify habitats and establishes whether further surveys are required to satisfy relevant legislation and planning policy. This survey may be done at any time of year, though summer months allows for a more complete vegetation species list.

Phase II invertebrate surveys

Ecosupport can provide expert professional invertebrate surveyors covering all species groups to carry out survey and assessment of invertebrate communities throughout Hampshire and the UK.

We can provide surveys and assessment, and produce mitigation and enhancement strategies and management plans for a varied range of projects as well as habitat creation and enhancement, including the creation of deadwood habitats and wetland schemes, woodland management, and fen and grassland restoration within small and large-scale developments.

Newt survey

A Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessment may be carried out at any time of year to determine if it it potential habitat for Great Crested Newts (GCN).

eDNA analysis

This method searches for the DNA of GCN in water samples collected on site. The DNA only lasts approximately 20 days in the water, therefore water samples must be taken in the appropriate season to determine presence or absence. If the result is positive, Phase II surveys are still required.

Phase II otter surveys

If the Phase I survey has identified habitat that may be used by otters, further surveying may be required if there is any potential for this habitat to be impacted. Given the large range for an individual otter (35km for males and 20km for females), it can be difficult to determine presence or absence. Otters will also use different areas of their range at different times of the season dependent on water levels, food availability and riparian habitat requirements. For this reason, surveys are undertaken at different times of the year within the appropriate season and using a variety of techniques.

Survey techniques can include use of remote camera traps and a visual search for holts/couches, tracks (in mud and sand banks) and spraints (sites for droppings). Searching for spraints is one of the most frequently used techniques as otters will mark out their range with spraints on bridge arches, rocks, ledges, tree roosts etc. to protect their territory from other otters of the same sex (although otters of different sexes may overlap their range). Surveys are done multiple times over a year to cover different time periods and there should be at least five days without rain preceding the survey so that evidence is not washed away.

Vegetation survey

The NVC vegetation survey method classifies the full suite of species within a vegetation type. The habitat communities on site are coded and mapped out. Any communities of biological interest are identified. This survey may require several visits throughout the active season to identify a full range of species.

Environmental DNA or eDNA is a new technology for surveying for crayfish. Water samples are collected from the stream or river and sent to a special laboratory for DNA analysis. This method is much better for determining the absence of White-clawed Crayfish in a water body because it is quicker, less expensive, has a wider survey time window and is less invasive for the animals themselves.

However, eDNA cannot measure the estimated population of crayfish present, which is required for an EPS Licence. Therefore if the eDNA test is positive, further Phase II Surveys are required to inform a European Protected Species Licence application.

eDNA surveys

Phase II White-clawed Crayfish surveys

A Phase I survey does not require any licences to survey waterbodies. However, if White-clawed Crayfish may be present on the site, Phase II surveys may only be undertaken by a trained ecologist with a survey licence for them.

The standard method of surveying for White-clawed Crayfish is a manual search of potential refuges within the survey area. However, this method can only be undertaken where the water depth is no more than 60cm and it is safe to do so. Alternative methods such as trapping may also be used if the standard method is not possible but can be more invasive and labour-intensive. Surveys have a limited season and are best undertaken in July to September after they have released their young.