Bird Survey

Bird Surveys and Mitigation Photo: Heron

Our professional approach to each of our client’s project allows us to recognise the need for development while adhering to current ornithological legislation.

Birds occupy the complete range of habitats in both urban and rural environments the information below is for guidance only and does not include all aspects of the species or its mitigation. Full details are available from our qualified ecologists.

Bird Legislation

All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended).

It is illegal to: Photo: Fieldfare eating snow

Kill, injure or take any wild bird.
Take damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is being used or is in use.
Take or destroy the eggs of any wild bird.
Possess or control any wild bird or its eggs unless under licence.

Specific species listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) receive additional protection whereby it is also illegal to intentionally or recklessly disturb the bird while nesting or disturb any of its dependant young.

WHAT WE DO

Bird Survey Methods Photo: Gull

There are various methods to survey birds depending on the different species.

General Bird Survey Methods include:

Visual inspection of a building or structure previously or presently used by nesting birds.
Listening for bird calls.
Line Transects – where a predetermined route is travelled and birds calls or sightings are recorded either side of the transect line.

Bird Licence

A development licence is not generally required for works that have an impact on wild birds, except for those listed on Schedule 1 of the WCA. However re-scheduling works may be required to avoid sensitive breeding times which would disturb the birds and their young.

Bird Mitigation

Our Creative Ecological Solutions maximise the choices available to you the developer. While preservation of birds is extremely important to us we understand and appreciate the need to develop in the modern world.

Our suggestions may include some of the following:

Creation of an exclusion area around nesting birds.
Enhancement of feeding and nesting habitat.
Installation of bird nesting boxes.
Addition to the building design to include nesting areas such as ledges.

Bird Survey Times

Bold Italics show optimum months for the type of survey

Winter Birds: J, F, M, A, M, J, J, A, S, O, N, D

Breeding Birds: J, F, M, A, M, J, J, A, S, O, N, D

Migrant Species: J, F, M, A, M, J, J, A, S, O, N, D

Booking a Bird Survey

As soon as you know you need a bird survey we recommend you book a date for our initial assessment. Please either call us on 01676 525880 to speak to our specialist Bird Survey department.

Alternatively please email your details to species@middlemarch-environmental.com and we will call you.

	BREEAM Assessments
	Phase 1 & Arboricultural Surveys
	Protected Species
	Mitigation Plans & Habitat Creation
	EIA & Masterplanning
	Business & Biodiversity