Protected Species Ecological Surveys

We offer a comprehensive offering of surveys for species with protected and notable status, ranging from simple scoping surveys to detailed impact assessments.

Our experienced ecologist, Matthew Liston, is licensed to carry out a range of surveys for the presence of various protected species. His vast knowledge and in-the-field experience covers the species and habitats most commonly encountered during planning for developments.

Bat surveys

ML-Ecology provides a range of bat related services that are used to meet legislative requirement where bats and bat roosts may be affected.  These include daytime inspections for bats, bat surveys, licensing and mitigation.

If you have a planning application that may affect bats, or if you have been advised by your local planning authority that you require bat surveys, then ML-Ecology can assist.

Bat surveys in Derbyshire and the East Midlands. Roost and swarm surveys - emergence and return dawn & dusk protected species bat surveys

Why are bat surveys required?

Quite simply, bats are protected by the law of which a summary is provided below;

Bats and the Law

All species of bat are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. This legislation makes it illegal to:

  • Intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or capture a bat;
  • Damage or destroy habitat which a bat uses for shelter or protection; or
  • Deliberately disturb a bat when it is occupying a place it uses for shelter and protection.

Bats utilise a variety of roosting sites throughout the year and the law protects all bat roosts even if bats are not present.

ML-Ecology undertakes all bat surveys and associated reports that comply with guidance from the Bat Conservation Trust and Natural England.

Great Crested Newt Surveys

Great crested newts (GCNs) are fully protected under UK and European law. Great crested newts are fully protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species (amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 as European Protected Species.

As well as ponds, GCN habitats include: ditches & culverts, scrub & rank grasslands, gardens & allotments, woodland, dry stone walls and hedges & hedgerows.

Newt surveys in Derbyshire - great crested newt (GCN) and amphibian protected species surveys in the East Midlands

Water Vole Surveys

Water vole numbers have suffered a dramatic decline since the 1990’s. They are now protected under UK Law.

Water vole habitats include: slow running rivers, ditches, brooks & streams, marshes, heathlands, lakes & ponds, reed beds and upland areas.

Water vole surveys in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands. Protected species ecological surveys

Nesting Bird & Breeding Bird Surveys

All birds are protected by the wildlife and countryside Act of 1981. This law protects nests, eggs, and unfledged young from destruction, disturbance or damage caused by new development or renovation. This also makes it illegal to injure, kill or take any wild bird of any species, no matter how common.

Hedgerows, trees and other nesting sites likely to be disturbed during a development will need to be assessed. When conversion or demolition of existing (predominantly old or abandoned) buildings is proposed, barn owl surveys are often also required.

Nesting Bird surveys Derbyshire & Breeding Bird Surveys Nottinghamshire and East Midlands
Nesting swallows - habitat surveys and ecological surveys in the East Midlands

Reptile Surveys

The six reptile species native to the UK are: Common lizard, sand lizard, British slow worm, grass snake, adder and smooth snake. All native reptile species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Grass snake, common lizard and slow worm are partially protected under UK law, whilst sand lizard and smooth snake are European Protected Species and receive additional protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.

Protected species reptile surveys in Derbyshire and the East Midlands - grass snake
Slow worm - reptile surveys in Derbyshire and the East Midlands

Badger Surveys

Badgers, badger habitats and badger setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which means disturbing the animals in any way, or destroying setts, is against the law. A badger survey and report will be needed to apply for planning permission if there is any chance badger habitats will be affected by a proposed development.

Badger surveys - including sett and signs of presence evidence - protected species surveys in Derbyshire and the East Midlands

Other Species Surveys

We also provide a host of surveys for other species, including the following:

Amphibian Surveys

Besides great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), the following species of amphibian are also found in the UK: common frog (Rana temporaria), common toad (Bufo bufo), natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita), palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus) and smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris). Natterjack toads are protected in the UK under the same legislation which protects great crested newts.

Amphibian protected species surveys Derbyshire and newt surveys in the East Midlands

Aquatic Invertebrates Surveys

Aquatic invertebrate surveys are typically carried out to assess the water quality of a particular waterbody. They may also be carried out for monitoring the effects of mitigation or simply in assessing the aquatic invertebrate diversity of a site, particularly as part of a planning application affecting a watercourse.

Aquatic invertebrate ecological surveys, Derbyshire and East Midlands. Aquatic habitat watercourse surveys Nottinghamshire

Get in touch

Should you need advice on any bat issues that you have or are looking for a quote, please feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements.