We often get concerned clients enquiring about support with planning applications in the winter months, worried they’ve missed the boat. Whilst some ecology work is seasonally constrained, we thought it would be helpful to highlight ecological work which can be done over the winter, as there is plenty which can be progressed to get applications underway.

Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEA)

PEA surveys are conducted to identify habitats within a site and to identify potential for protected species to be present. These surveys can be conducted at any time of year, with only minor constraints when habitats of potential interest such as species-rich grassland is present.

Preliminary Roost Assessments (PRA)

Some species of bat opportunistically roost within buildings, making use of features such as loft spaces, gaps beneath roof tiles, wooden cladding or lead flashing. The assessment of suitability of a building for roosting bats can be conducted at any time of year, identifying the need for any further surveys in the bat activity season (May-September inclusive).

Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRA)

Assessing potential impacts on European protected sites such as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) is typically a desk-based exercise which can be completed year-round.

Wintering Bird Surveys

Bird surveys are typically needed for larger sites or those within the impact risk zone of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and/or SPAs supporting important assemblages of wintering birds. The surveys involve monthly or bi-monthly visits by an ornithologist (bird expert) between October and February inclusive.

Badger Surveys

Whilst badger activity can die down a little over winter, it becomes easier to find their setts (burrows) and other evidence such as runs and latrines (dung pits) once the vegetation has died down so it’s a perfect time of year to conduct these assessments.

Tree Surveys

Some species of bat roost within trees, making use of features such as woodpecker holes, rot holes, ivy and flaking bark. Spotting these features in the summer months when the trees are in leaf can be quite tricky, therefore winter is the optimal time to conduct ground level tree assessments and the more detailed aerial tree climbing surveys.

Otter Surveys

Surveys of watercourses to find evidence of otter such as spraints (droppings), holts (nest sites) and paths can be conducted at any time of year.

Dormouse Surveys

Identifying hazel nuts nibbled by dormouse can be conducted at any time of year.

Forward Planning

We encourage our clients to think ahead to avoid any potential delays to planning applications on ecological grounds. The next key survey windows for the protected species we frequently encounter are:

• Great crested newt surveys (March-June inclusive)

• Breeding bird surveys (March-June inclusive)

• Reptile surveys (March-June and September inclusive)

• Bat activity (April-October inclusive) and emergence surveys (May-September inclusive)

• Water vole surveys (March-October inclusive)

If you would like any advice on a planning application please feel free to contact us.