Bats
Herpetofauna especially great crested newts and slow-worms
White-clawed crayfish
Badgers
Dormice
Birds
Water voles
Otters
A core area of work is undertaking protected species surveys for animals including:
All these species must be considered during the planning process or where operations may affect a protected species. Initial and dedicated surveys for these and other species allows us to determine presence/absence, population and distribution and to advise clients as to the most suitable form of mitigation, a process that enables individual developments and other projects to proceed.
Other types of survey include:
Small mammal trapping
Invertebrate surveys – aquatic and terrestrial
Surveys of specialist groups including bryophytes, lichens and invertebrates – SWC consultants have undertaken numerous surveys for locally and nationally important species.
Pond surveys using PSYM (Predictive System for Multimetrics) methodology where appropriate.
Protected species licenses
For certain development projects, either a species specific licence i.e. for badgers or a European Protected Species Licence (EPS) must be obtained in order that it may progress. We have a track record of successfully applying for these licences following the survey work required to implement the mitigation. A licence permits certain on-site operations to occur within a set time period and ensures that the client is operating on the right side of the law as well as working towards maintaining the favourable conservation status of the protected species affected by the works.
Ecological clerk of works - watching briefs
SWC is involved in projects from their inception to their completion and can provide a supervisory service where on-site advice is given during the construction works. This includes liaison with developers, contractors, archaeologists, engineers and statutory bodies such as Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency.
BREEAM assessments
As fully qualified and experienced ecologists we undertake a variety of BREEAM assessments including Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), EcoHomes, BREEAM Education, BREEAM Offices and Bespoke BREEAMS. BREEAM aims to minimise the environmental/ecological impact of a development on the natural environment. SWC specialises in providing evidence for the ecology section within the BREEAM scheme. This includes: identifying the site’s current ecological value and highlighting where site enhancements can be made.
Mitigation, restoration & habitat creation
Providing the appropriate form of mitigation is critical for any project in order to minimise the impacts and provide effective wildlife enhancement. Mitigation may require habitat restoration, creation, and translocation followed up by monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the scheme. In certain situations these schemes will form part of a protected species license.
Site management plans
In conjunction with our ecological surveys, we can prepare a management plan which will prescribe how to manage your site for the long-term benefit of wildlife and at the same time integrating recreational activities, industry and farming where appropriate. Over the years we have provided management plans for sites including nationally important nature reserves to landscaped recreational areas in association with developments. This can take the form of:
- Baseline surveys and desk studies
- Preparing site managementbriefs and plans
- Advising on and undertakes monitoring work
- Providing specialist advice on habitat or species management issues (e.g. farm conservation plans and negotiation of conservation issues with agencies such as Natural England on behalf of landowners or agents).
Practical management We can organise and implement practical habitat management, creation and restoration, using our own staff/or expert contractors. Our expertise extends to all types of management whether it be tree felling, hedge planting or mowing in both urban areas and the wider landscape. Green tourism
We can advise on a wide range of rural regeneration issues including visitor management, access improvements, green and wildlife tourism, and countryside interpretation. Through our expert associates we can also cover economic feasibility, landscape design and conservation of cultural heritage.
Wildlife gardens & landscaping
A specialist branch of habitat creation is the development of gardens designed to be attractive to both people and wildlife. We can offer horticultural and ecological advice from small gardens to larger schemes around schools and business premises.
GIS (Geographical Information System) mapping page
Our in-house GIS system allows us to digitise (computerise) all of our survey information onto various maps and overlay with other digital overlays such as conservation designations. The spatial data that we hold, which includes aerial overlays, OS raster and vector data, means that we can accurately map habitats and other features.
Training
All the consulting staff at Shropshire Wildlife Consultancy are educated to degree level, if not postgraduate and are experienced in their fields. We can provide training courses in the following survey and identification techniques:
- Phase I habitat survey
- Phase II vegetation survey (NVC)
- Botanical identification training
- Mammal survey and identification
- Reptile and amphibian survey
- Site management planning
Contact Shropshire Wildlife Consultancy
