Provided below is some information about the most commonly encoutered protected species within the UK.
Click on the species for further information about the species and the surveys and services that Michael Woods Associates are able to provide.
Badgers are social creatures living in family groups in underground structures called setts. They have an opportunistic omnivorous diet which allows them to adapt to a changing environment and efficiently exploit food resources. Generally however the principal diet of a badger is made up of earth worms. Badgers are subject of regular controversy, particularly due to their association with bovine tuberculosis. Badgers currently receive protection under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 which protects both the animals and their setts.
MWA are able to conduct a range of surveys including:
Surveys for badgers are generally aimed at developing an understanding of the distribution of badgers within the local area and classifying their setts according to their importance to the local badger clan. This information is used to inform impact assessments and where necessary to obtain licences from Natural England. MWA are able to provide the following mitigation measures:
Surveys can be undertaken throughout the year, however mitigation measures and sett closures must be timed to avoid vulnerable times of year when badgers have dependent young below ground. Should licences be necessary Natural England will only issue these between July and November.
The UK supports 17 species of bat, all of which are listed on the UK's biodiversity action plan. All bats are protected under the Habitats Regulations (2010) and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2011. The legislation protects both the animals and their roost sites, regardless of bat presence. The damage of a bat roost, alteration of the access to and from the roost and disturbance of bats within their roosts are all considered to be offences and will only be sanctioned once appropriate surveys have been undertaken, mitigation measures designed and an appropriate licence obtained from Natural England.
Michael Woods Associates have a number of highly experienced licenced bat surveyors. We are able to undertake the following surveys and assessments:
Should development proposals be likely to affect an area in which bats roost it is likely that mitigation will be required and a licence obtained from Natural England (or Countryside Council for Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage) before the works can take place. We are able to design and implement appropriate mitigation measures taking care to, as far as possible, incorporate these within your existing construction programme thereby minimising costly delays. Amongst the services we can provide are:
Surveys to appraise the value of habitats and inspect buildings for evidence of bats can be undertaken at any time of year. Should emergence or activity surveys be required these can only be undertaken when bats are active (i.e. Between April and September). Due to the complexities of bat surveys we suggest that if you think you may have a problem with bats that you call one of our ecologists for advice.
The UK supports six species of amphibians and although our survey work is aimed at confirming the presence/absence of great crested newts, other species such as frogs and toads are also considered in our surveys and approaches to mitigation. Amphibians require suitable terrestrial and aquatic habitats as most amphibian species spend at least a third of their lifecycle on land rather than within ponds. We are able to undertake the following surveys and assessments:
The need for mitigation will be dependent upon
Because of the newt's complex biological life cycle, survey periods are short. Aquatic surveys to search for newts and their eggs can only be conducted during April to August. Whereas, terrestrial surveys involving pitfall traps and artificial refugia can be conducted July to November. We can provide Habitat Suitability Index surveys, however these only provide a probability of the presence of newts.
In light of survey findings, we can design, manage and implement translocation exercises and destructive searches. MWA prepare management plans and monitoring schemes, and design habitat creations and enhancements.
All wild birds in the UK, including their eggs and nests, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
MWAs highly experienced ornithologists can undertake the following surveys:
In light of survey findings, MWA will provide advice regarding mitigation, enhancement and successfully incorporating measures for birds into the proposed development.
The UK supports six species of common reptile, namely the grass snake, slow-worm, adder, common lizard, smooth snake and sand lizard. All receive strict legal protection, the rarer species (smooth snake and sand lizard) receive additional protection at a European level. Generally reptiles are encountered in grassland, scrubland or on the fringes of woodland and hedgerows. The are also often encountered in back gardens and on brown field sites meaning that in our experience reptiles are amongst the most commonly encountered species.
Should initial surveys of a site identify habitats potentially suitable for reptiles the surveys MWA are able to undertake include:
Where reptiles are found MWA are able to prepare appropriate mitigation strategies to discharge planning conditions and can undertake the following mitigation work:
Reptile surveys and mitigation can only be undertaken whilst reptiles are active. This is weather dependent, however as a general rule surveys can only be conducted between March and September.
Otters were once common in our waterways, but suffered a severe decline in the 19th century due to hunting and pollution. They are now protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.
Otter surveys can be conducted throughout the year, however May and August, when the water height is low, is considered optimal. The river bank is surveyed for field signs, such as spraints and print. This data is then mapped to assess the importance of the river and highlight key areas of activity.
MWA have designed river management strategies to ensure a healthy habitat is maintained, which has included monitoring pollution , water levels and vegetation growth. We have designed and created new areas of planting and purpose designed tunnel crossings to reduce the impacts of habitat fragmentation and have erected otter-proof fencing for projects where there is need to prevent otters entering a site. Where appropriate, we have designed and installed artificial otter holts in suitable areas of river bank.
One of Britain's best loved mammals, best known to most thanks to Kenneth Grahame and his character 'Ratty' from The Wind in the Willows. This species has suffered huge declines in population numbers and distribution in recent years attributed principally to habitat loss and degradation and the emergence of American Mink, an invasive species and highly efficient predator.
Watercourses are surveyed for their potential to support water voles from March to August, when this species is at their most active. Field signs including latrines, burrows and prints are searched for.
If water voles are present on site they must be protected and the habitat enhanced for their benefit. We can obtain appropriate licences to facilitate development and advise habitat management, including planting, connectivity, sensitive lighting and monitoring mink populations.
MWA have also been involved in monitoring schemes, relocation exercises and designing and construction water vole release pens.
The dormice, one of the UK's most charismatic species has suffered significant decline over the past 50 years. This arboreal mouse lives in woodlands, hedgerows and scrub habitats, forming nests in the trees and foraging on insects, berries and nuts. They rarely come to ground except when they hibernate when they form nests at the bases of trees in amongst the leaf litter. Dormice receive protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Furthermore, appropriate licences are required to work with dormice.
Habitat loss and fragmentation have contributed to the severe decline of Dormice, which now only occupy small population ranges restricted to southern England and Wales. Michael Woods Associates have considerable expertise and experience in the survey, assessment and protection of dormice. In 2009 Michael Woods Associates hosted the International Dormouse Conference using a flagship dormouse monitoring project set up by Michael and his father Doug as the focal point for the conference.
We undertake the following surveys for dormice:
Where dormice are encountered on site we are able to provide appropriate advice to protect the species and avoid committing offences. This includes:
Dormouse surveys require regular site inspections between April and November to confirm presence and/or absence. Due to the long period of time required to complete surveys the requirement can often lead to delays in planning and as such the need for such surveys is best considered early within a project.
All species listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) receive protection at a national level.
During all ecological and Phase 1 surveys, these plants are searched for. The optimal time of year to conduct this is from April to September, when the plants are in flower. Where potential for particular rare plants are noted we also undertake detailed vegetation and quadrat surveys to assess the abundance and distribution of rare plants.
Should development be likely to impact upon rare plants we are able to advise on a range of mitigation options including seed collection, soil collection, turf translocation and plug planting.
Habitats – including Woodland, Hedgerow, Rivers and Grassland
Different habitats offer a range of benefits; MWA are able to assess the quality and potential of all habitat types encountered within the UK and can prepare Management, Protection and Enhancement Strategies appropriate to the site and development.
MWA undertake extended phase 1 surveys, transect & quadrat surveys, National Vegetation Classification (NVC), Habitat Suitability Index (HSI), hedgerow surveys and river habitat & corridor surveys.
Maintaining and enhancing existing habitat is generally considered preferable to the creation of new habitat. Where vegetation is to be retained we are able to provide advice on the best approach to protecting the habitat throughout construction. Where it is not possible to retain habitat in situ we are able to undertake habitat translocations such as grassland and hedgerow translocations so that the ecological value of the habitat is, as far as possible, retained.
The UK supports a huge range of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates species, some of which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and others listed as priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Invertebrates are of great importance to the healthy functioning of eco systems. As such MWA feel that maintaining suitable habitats for invertebrate species on a site might be as important as providing a bird nest box or a new bat roost. We are able to provide advice on suitable habitat creation and mitigation planting schemes to promote invertebrate diversity.
MWA can complete a variety of different surveys for terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates including sweep netting, pit fall trapping, moth trapping, kick sampling, and direction observational transects. We have a number of in house specialists and associates with whom we work closely to ensure the diversity of invertebrate fauna can be assessed where required.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) makes it an offence to release any animal or plant in to the wild which is not a resident to Great Britain, or is a known threat.
On every survey, we will consider the presence or potential to encounter known invasive species and injurious plants. Secies considered include:
Plants
Japanese knotweed
Himalayan balsam
Giant Hogweed
Ragwort
Rhododendron
Floating Penny-wort
Parrots Feather
Animals
Edible Dormouse
Signal crayfish
American mink
MWA can survey for the above species and provide advice on how such species can be legally controlled. If necessary we are able to develop appropriate control programmes and can coordinate programmes of treatment and disposal.
