Following bird survey guidelines, surveys for breeding birds typically involve an experienced ornithologist visiting the a proposed application site six times between March and August inclusive with at least three weeks between visits. This may include dawn or evening visits or sometimes in sync with high and low tides, to best capture the usage of potentially present species. These will comprise of a suitably experienced bird surveyor walking a transect throughout all partitions the proposed site, with occasional vantage point surveys incorporated, making notes of the birds recorded. Bird activity is recorded and guided by standard British Trust of Ornithology (BTO) procedures (numbers and two-letter species codes with a symbol applied to represent the individuals behaviour).
Following bird survey guidelines, surveys for wintering birds typically involve an experienced ornithologist visiting a proposed site with a minimum of four visits during the core winter months of November to February with at least three weeks between each. Depending on the proposed development's nature and scale in combination with potential connectivity with Special Protection Areas, the number of surveys may increase to cover off passage periods of birds. Similiar to the breeding bird surveys, wintering bird surveys may include dawn or evening visits or surveys to occur in synchronicity with varying states of tide, to best capture the usage of potentially present species. These will comprise of a suitably experienced bird surveyor walking a transect around the site, making notes of the birds recorded. Bird activity is recorded in accordance with standard British Trust of Ornithology (BTO) procedures (numbers and two-letter species codes with a symbol applied to represent the individuals behaviour).
In addition to the surveys listed above, LM Eco-Solutions provides advice on quoting for and executing vantage point surveys required for large scale wind applications. Surveys are completed following the most recent Scottish guidance. Surveys will be conducted through use of telescope, binoculars, tablet (for recording georeferenced linear and point bird data) and recording sheets. Data will then be converted to GIS compatible format whereby it will be presented as a map through QGIS software. In addition to this, summary bird reports can be produced upon request.
A pre-commencement breeding bird survey is an important ecological assessment conducted from before the initiation of construction or land development projects during the breeding season. The primary goal of such a survey is to identify and record the presence/absence of breeding bird species. If no breeding birds are identified during these surveys the surveyor can indicate to the contractor that vegetation removal/construction works can begin. In the event that breeding birds are identified, species specific measures will have to be stricly adhered to. In addition to this, summary bird reports can be produced upon request.
Bat Surveys conducted by LM Eco solutions follow the most recent guidance released in the UK and Ireland in order to execute surveys effectively and efficiently. Surveys comprise of but are not limited to: Preliminary Roost Assessment, Preliminary Roost Feature Survey, Emergence (dusk/night) Surveys, Torch Surveys and Pre-commencement/Pre-construction Bat Surveys. In addition to this, bat reports can be produced upon request.
An otter survey involves several steps to assess the presence and distribution of otters in a specific area. These surveys can provide important data for conservation efforts, habitat management, and understanding otter populations. Otter surveys are performed via a skilled ecologist who searches the banks of a river, stream, lake or pond scanning the area with a pair of binoculars applied for field sign. Field sign can be in the form of spraints, footprints, slides, feeding remains, couches and holts. In the event that an otter holt is found, further survey in the form of a camera trap survey should be performed to determine the activity of the holt whether used (e.g. an active natal holt) or disused. These surveys can be performed as part supplement to a planning application or as part of fulfilling the requirement of a planning condition i.e. pre-construction otter survey. In addition to this, otter reports can be produced upon request.
A badger survey involves several steps to assess the presence and distribution of badgers in a specific area. These surveys can provide important data for conservation efforts, habitat management, and understanding badger populations. Badger surveys are performed via a skilled ecologist who searches areas suited for badger such as treeline, hedgerow, forestry or even open field scanning the area with a pair of binoculars for field sign. Field sign can be in the form of latrines, footprints, hairs, snuffle holes, runs and setts. In the event that a sett is found, further survey in the form of a camera trap survey can be formed to determine the activity of the sett whether used (e.g. an active maternity sett) or disused. These surveys can be performed as part supplement to a planning application or as part of fulfilling the requirement of a planning condition i.e. Pre-construction badger survey. In addition to this, badger reports can be produced upon request.
LM - Eco-Solutions also provides: pine marten, red squirrel, macro-invertebrate and raptor (e.g. Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Barn Owl) surveys
