Joe joined the Avian team in May 2025 with over 20 years’ experience working in ecology across a range of sectors including utilities, consultancy and local government. Through his career he has worked on a wide variety of projects including highways, residential development, rail and water infrastructure, gaining experience of a range of protected species and habitat surveys, ecological mitigation and compensation and a specialism in Biodiversity Net Gain. Joe is competent at undertaking Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA).

Joe is responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating ecological outputs for a range of projects across the UK including solar and wind proposals, and for supporting our wider ecology team. From the outset of projects Joe ensures a clear understanding of client objectives, and combined with a detailed knowledge of the planning process and underpinning legislation is able to provide innovative and pragmatic ecological solutions.

Kim joined the Avian team in 2025, bringing with her a wealth of experience in consultancy and ornithology. experience working in ecology across a range of sectors including utilities, consultancy and local government. From a young age, Kim's passion for birds has taken her on incredible journeys. Her academic pursuits in ornithology have led her to conduct research in Africa and Poland. She also played a key role in the Isle of Man breeding seabird census, covering over 947 miles by boat and documenting more than 10,000 birds. In her consultancy work Kim has worked on numerous EIA and NSIP developments, providing expert advice and devising appropriate mitigation.

Kim is responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating ornithological outputs for a range of projects across the UK including solar and wind proposals, and for supporting our wider ecology team.

Beth joined Avian as a Senior Ecologist, and has quickly risen to Principal. With eight years of experience in ecological consultancy, she has worked on a wide range of infrastructure projects, from highways and rail to flood defence and beyond. Her passion for the natural world led her to study geography at university before specialising in ecology, gaining experience across various survey types and reporting leading to obtaining licences for great crested newts and bats, as well as a FISC Level 4 in botany.

Beth works as project lead on a number of large infrastructure projects, primarily solar and wind projects, scoping and co-ordinating ecological surveys, carrying out impact assessments and authoring the ecology sections of Environmental Statements. her role also encompasses training of more junior team members, particularly in protected specie survey and botany.

Emily joined Avian as a Senior Ecologist in 2025. Whilst studying zoology at University, Emily undertook field work in Peru which led her to pursuing a career in ecology. She has now gained experience across a range of survey types and reporting leading her to obtain licences for great crested newts and barn owl. Emily has worked on a wide range of projects from residential, minerals and large infrastructure.

Paul joined the Avian team in 2021 as a full-time field ornithologist after previously working as a sub-contractor for Avian as well as a number of other consultancies. Paul’s role focuses primarily around bird based surveys but he is also competent in leading and supporting in a broad range of other ecological disciplines. He is an enthusiastic member of the team and approaches each survey with a strong sense of integrity.

Andrew is a competent field ecologist capable of undertaking protected species and habitat surveys and ecological clerk of works supervision on construction sites. Since beginning his ecological career in 2015, Andrew has expanded his knowledge and understanding of the sector with passion, enthusiasm. He is skilled in carrying out protected species and habitat surveys, including water vole, otter, badger, bat (activity transects, emergence/re-entry surveys and bat roost potential assessments), great crested newt and reptile, and extended phase 1 habitat surveys, all in accordance with industry guidance.  He regularly carries out data analysis and ecological appraisals.

Kieran joined Avian Ecology in 2021 as an Ecologist. He has extensive surveying experience having previously worked in several research, conservation and ecological consultancy roles where he has studied a diverse range of species in the Bornean rainforest, Welsh uplands and Antarctic. As an Ecologist he has developed a variety of protected species survey skills and a keen interest in mammals. He has continued to develop his ecology skills whilst at Avian, obtaining a masters degree at MMU where he studied Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring and conducted a self-designed study that focused on bat activity between urban and rural habitats. Overall, his collective field experience has given him key skills in species identification and a broad understanding of ecology.

Liam is resourceful and enthusiastic with a keen interest in the principles and applications of ecology and wildlife conservation. He has technical competencies in taxonomic identification, surveying, monitoring and species and habitat management. Liam has experience working with protected species such as bats and herptiles. He has practical experience carrying out surveys such as phase 1, NVC, preliminary ecological appraisals and ecological impact assessments. He is also proficient with relevant technical and statistical programs such as GIS, R and SPSS. Liam is able to safely undertake field work, with an understanding of good practice guidelines relative to ecology.

Clare's focus is habitat and vegetation survey. She has experience of UKHab, Phase 1, NVC and MoRPH survey techniques within consultancy, as well as experience designing and implementing surveys for academic research, and contributing to voluntary national recording schemes. Clare has good experience of botanical surveys and is continuing to further her skills through on-going practice and training. Clare is passionate about ecology. Her academic interests relate to understanding how disturbance events impact species and ecosystems. Her doctoral research looked at the interactions between a non-native invasive plant, the native plant community, and environmental factors within the habitat. Clare has a broad appreciation and interest in wildlife. She has experience of bat, water vole and great crested newt surveys within consultancy, and wider experience of numerous invertebrate survey methods.

Clare has experience in desk-based reporting, in particular the analysis, interpretation and communication of vegetation surveys. She has published peer-reviewed research articles on non-native invasive plant ecology and management.

Andrew is a competent ecologist with over 11 years experience, and is capable of undertaking protected species and habitat surveys on a range of sites. Through Andrew’s work in Ecology he has been able to apply for a class one Great Crested Newt (GCN) license which he has held since 2015. This has allowed him to become vastly experienced at leading and organizing newt surveys, as well as gaining experience with alternative newt survey techniques such as eDNA sampling. Though Andrew’s previous work he has also acquired good Bat ID skills and survey experience. Ecological clerk of works (ECOW) has been a big part of Andrew’s workload before joining Avian Ecology, so he is experienced at carrying out these duties on a range of projects.

George joined the Avian team in 2025 having worked having worked previously as a Consultant Ornithologist on a variety of renewable energy projects across both marine and terrestrial environments. Prior to his consultancy work, George was a Warden with the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, where he led fieldwork monitoring seabird and reptile populations. He is also an keen volunteer surveyor for the BTO, RSPB, and Wildlife Trust.

With nearly two years experience as an Assistant Ecologist, Liam joined the Avian team in 2025 as an Ecologist. In his career to date Liam has gained a wide range of survey experience including bats, reptiles, breeding birds and habitat surveys. He is also competent in Preliminary Ecological Assessment. Liam has a particular interest in ornithology, and is looking to develop this passion further, building his specialist skills with Avian in order to support our projects

Andrew is a motivated and hardworking individual who is always willing to learn. He holds licences for class 1 great crested newts and holds an accredited agent license for natter jack toad and sand lizard. He is an active conservation volunteer gaining experience of ecological surveying for a number of organisations such as British Trust for Ornithology and North Merseyside Amphibian and Reptile Group. Andrew is experienced in undertaking a wide range of protected species surveys including; bird, bat, GCN, reptile, otter, water vole, badger and porpoise surveys as well as extended phase 1 habitat and NVC surveying.

Rowan is a graduate ecologist who has joined Avian following a BSc in Ecology and Conservation, and a Masters in Conservation Biology. Rowan has brought their strong analytical skills to the team, taking a lead with our survey data analysis and GIS.

Gemma Davies has over 25 years of GIS experience, having started her GIS career in academia supporting teaching and research (including some Ecology projects along the way) before changing direction to work in humanitarian information management.

Gemma has overall responsibility for our GIS outputs and deliverables, and managing the GIS team. Her role also encompasses our GIS development, ensuring Avian stay at the forefront of innovation in this area

Helen’s geography degree and GIS experience lead her to become Avian Ecology’s GIS technician. She compiles and manages complex data sets and assists the team in presenting and preparing the graphics they need. Helen utilises MapInfo pro advanced GIS, AutoCAD and Adobe graphic design tools for manipulation and creation of GIS datasets so they can be analysed and form part of any reports and supporting documents. Helen enjoys aiding field ecologists in the various habitat and protected species surveys when needed.

Zara manages our project support team,  co-ordinating fieldwork and deliverables, ensuring that our projects are delivered efficiently, on time and to the highest standards.

Joseph joined Avian in 2025 as a Project Support Officer following a BSc in geography at the University of Manchester. He is passionate about sustainable infrastructure and ethical solutions. As part of his studies, Joseph completed fieldwork in Prague, where he was able to develop key project management and support skills relating to his new role. In addition to his academic experience, he has completed work shadowing in data analysis and business operations.

Joseph support our team of ecologists, co-ordinating fieldwork and deliverables, ensuring that our projects are delivered efficiently, on time and to the highest standards.

Becki joined the Avian team with over 10 years experience in finance management and payroll and is responsible for managing the finances of the business.

Jemma joined the team in January 2020. She deals with all things finance and organisation within the company to support the smooth running of Avian Ecology. With a strong administration background, Jemma assists the team wherever needed.