Protected species surveys have been at the core of our business since the we established Riverdale Ecology. We have experience of providing surveys for all species groups and hold survey licences for bats, great crested newts, dormice and water vole. We also hold a Schedule 1 licence for protected birds, including barn owls. Where possible we always aim for our surveys to be undertaken by one of our knowledgeable in-house team. Occasionally, where a specialist survey is required, we will also work with a number of close associates. Bats Bats are protected under UK and European legislation. Bat roosts are protected regardless of whether bats are occupying the roost at the time. If a roost or evidence of a roost is found, then a European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licence may be required to allow a development to proceed. As part of the application… Read More Great Crested Newts Great crested newts are protected under UK and European legislation. They are amphibians spending most of their time on land, returning to ponds in the spring to breed. Both breeding ponds and terrestrial habitat within 500m of a breeding pond are protected. Great crested newt surveys focus on identifying breeding ponds and can be carried… Read More Reptiles All reptile species are protected under UK legislation, with sand lizard and smooth snake also receiving protected under European legislation but these two species have very limited geographical range. If the habitats within a development site are suitable for reptiles, then a reptile survey may be required to determine the likely impacts and suitable mitigation.… Read More Birds Riverdale Ecology can offer specialist ornithological surveys. Our team of ornithologists have backgrounds in academic research, reserve management and consultancy. All our ornithologists are experts in avian ecology with exemplary field identification skills and undergo rigorous testing to ensure we only use the most qualified individuals. We have a network of regionally-based specialist sub-consultants assembled… Read More Dormice Dormice are protected under UK and European legislation. They have very specific habitat requirements and are restricted by their geographical limits. The natural range for dormice does not extend into Norfolk but they are present in Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire as well as Kent, Sussex and Hampshire. The approved survey method for dormice requires survey… Read More Other Protected Species Water Voles Water voles receive legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Where there are waterbodies on a development site (ditches, rivers, streams and ponds) a water vole survey may be required. As of January 2016, any mitigation work relating to water vole requires a licence issued by Natural England. Danny is a very… Read More
Bats Bats are protected under UK and European legislation. Bat roosts are protected regardless of whether bats are occupying the roost at the time. If a roost or evidence of a roost is found, then a European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licence may be required to allow a development to proceed. As part of the application… Read More
Great Crested Newts Great crested newts are protected under UK and European legislation. They are amphibians spending most of their time on land, returning to ponds in the spring to breed. Both breeding ponds and terrestrial habitat within 500m of a breeding pond are protected. Great crested newt surveys focus on identifying breeding ponds and can be carried… Read More
Reptiles All reptile species are protected under UK legislation, with sand lizard and smooth snake also receiving protected under European legislation but these two species have very limited geographical range. If the habitats within a development site are suitable for reptiles, then a reptile survey may be required to determine the likely impacts and suitable mitigation.… Read More
Birds Riverdale Ecology can offer specialist ornithological surveys. Our team of ornithologists have backgrounds in academic research, reserve management and consultancy. All our ornithologists are experts in avian ecology with exemplary field identification skills and undergo rigorous testing to ensure we only use the most qualified individuals. We have a network of regionally-based specialist sub-consultants assembled… Read More
Dormice Dormice are protected under UK and European legislation. They have very specific habitat requirements and are restricted by their geographical limits. The natural range for dormice does not extend into Norfolk but they are present in Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire as well as Kent, Sussex and Hampshire. The approved survey method for dormice requires survey… Read More
Other Protected Species Water Voles Water voles receive legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Where there are waterbodies on a development site (ditches, rivers, streams and ponds) a water vole survey may be required. As of January 2016, any mitigation work relating to water vole requires a licence issued by Natural England. Danny is a very… Read More