March 2015

In spring 2014 Natural England (NE) confirmed the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling as an acceptable methodology for determining the presence or likely absence of great crested newts (GCN). The process has subsequently been adopted by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Following the NE announcement Avian Ecology quickly adopted the new methodology, completing a large […]

REG Windpower has successfully obtained planning consent for a six turbine development which will be accompanied by a 25 year Habitat Management Plan (HMP) designed to protect and restore sensitive and threated valley mire habitat. Avian Ecology has worked on this project throughout, and prepared the HMP in close collaboration with Rhondda Cynon Taf County

Congratulations to Lightsource Renewable Energy Limited, whose Charity Farm solar project was successful in the DECC Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction. Avian Ecology completed the ecological appraisal and Biodiversity Management Plan for this development.

We are benefitting from advanced software to improve the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of our bat survey interpretation and reporting. With digital mapping using Map a Bat Pro, our reports present complex behavioural and distribution information from multiple surveys in succinct and accurate plans, backed up by detailed data tables for regulators and planning authorities.

Attending the 2015 event provided a valuable opportunity to discuss amphibian and reptile conservation and emerging best practice with a wide range of organisations. While there, our herpetology specialist Stuart Graham also assisted several Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology PhD students with their project work on native amphibians.