Through the adoption of the Environment Act 2021, compulsory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) targets are due to be introduced in January 2024 for medium to large scale projects with smaller schemes anticipated to be included from April 2024. BNG makes sure development has a measurably positive impact (‘net gain’) on biodiversity, compared to what was there… Read More

Riverdale Ecology have gone Thermal – We have recently purchased an IRay-E6 pro Thermal Imaging monocular for use on bat surveys. Thermal imaging cameras are designed to detect heat (infrared radiation) emitted from objects including metabolic heat produced by bats and other animals which is detectable against the thermal signature of background levels. The ability… Read More

Last weekend, Danny organised and lead a team of volunteers in clearing out the wildlife pond at Stoke Holy Cross Primary School. The school has recently completed construction of its outdoor classroom, but the nearby pond was sorely in need of some management having become very overgrown with sedge and even had some small trees… Read More

Danny has been out recently helping Suffolk Wildlife Trust with an interesting research project funded by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). The project is looking at the efficacy of survey techniques for identifying the presence of hazel dormice Muscardinus avellanarius; a European Protected Species and very rare in the UK, largely restricted to… Read More

Never underestimate grass, have you ever had a closer look? There are over 140 species of wild grasses in the UK not including sedges. Once you get away from manicured lawns the diversity and beauty of grasses is something that demands appreciation. Now is the time of year when many grass species are in flower… Read More

With the mild temperatures over the last few weeks, the great crested newt breeding season has properly commenced. Great crested newts are a European Protected Species and one of the most common constraints to development projects. The approved period for surveying great crested newts is short, only running from mid-March to mid-June (late June for… Read More

The breeding bird season has started. Officially taken to be from March to August, active bird nests are protected regardless of the time of year so it is important to get the right advice. Blackbirds and other garden birds have been making the most of the warmer weather over last few weeks and have started… Read More

Keep your eyes out for waxwings over the next few weeks.  There are small flocks of this stunning winter visitor in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Danny popped to Bungay this afternoon to take some photos in the sunshine. Many thanks to the home owner who let him into his back garden to get a better… Read More

Riverdale Ecology have been taking part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch this week. We’re very happy to have house sparrows and starlings as frequent visitors to our birdfeeders, both of which are RSPB Priority Species due to their substantial declines in recent years. Other highlights included a single goldcrest and a small flock of… Read More

Danny Thomas was out this week helping to clean out dormouse nest boxes at Priestley Wood near Needham Market in Suffolk. As a licenced dormouse surveyor, Danny volunteers for Suffolk Wildlife Trust surveying for the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme. Monitoring visits are usually in June, September and October but during the winter, the boxes need… Read More