Ecologist
Great Crested Newts – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to several frequently asked questions, which we hope will help you understand great crested newts and the need for surveys, licences and mitigation. You might enjoy testing your knowledge by completing our quick Great Crested Newt Quiz. Why are great crested newts protected? Where do great crested newts live? How long […]
Ecology – An Industry Update from 2013
2013 saw a number of changes within the ecology sector, many of which aim to improve standards and efficiency. Here is a summary of just a few: Royal Charter for the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management In spring 2014 IEEM was granted its Royal Charter and the professional membership body is now known as […]
The Spring Survey Season is here at last!
Temperatures have finally reached double figures – Hoorah! The busiest time of the year for surveys is generally the spring. This year spring has arrived a little later. The start of the great crested newt survey season has been affected by the late arrival of spring, but we are finally commencing surveys this week. There […]
The Great Crested Newt Survey Season is Fast Approaching……Or so we thought!!
With temperatures still well below freezing at night, the great crested newt survey season is not so fast approaching! Natural England’s (previously English Nature) guidelines for newt surveys suggest that temperatures should be consistently above 5 degrees Celsius for conditions to be suitable to survey (particularly when bottle-trapping). This spring we have barely reached one […]
Ecology – An Industry Update from 2012
Just some of the changes and events that took place this year… Legislation – Changes to the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007 came into force in August this year, resulting in The Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 and the […]
BREEAM Ecology Credits
In general up to eight credits are available for LE 02 – LE 05 of BREEAM 2011 assessments (subject to specific schemes) and up to seven credits for Eco 1 – Eco 4 of EcoHomes and Code for Sustainable Homes assessments, which relate to the ecology of a site. This can make a real difference […]
Ecology Surveys for all Seasons
Many developers are aware of the constraints that many ecological survey seasons can have on a project programme having previously encountered delays to planning applications due to the likes of hibernating bats and great crested newts, for example. However, there are some ecological surveys that can be undertaken throughout the year and can help project […]