Birds

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), all birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law which makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird or to take, damage or destroy the nest (whilst being built or in use) or its eggs. This means that even common and widespread species can impose significant seasonal constraints on site clearance.

ECOSA carries out a wide range of ornithological surveys using Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), Common Bird Census (CBC), Vantage Point (VP) count methods and other established survey techniques. The most frequent surveys involve breeding bird surveys which need to be carried out between March and early July and wintering bird surveys undertaken between October and March.

We have also carried out more species-specific surveys when the habitat present, or the geographic location of a site may indicate the presence of a particularly rare bird. For example, we have carried out species specific nightjar, Dartford warbler and lapwing surveys, have carried out assessments of the distribution of breeding waders on marshes on the Isle of Sheppey and have carried out numerous intertidal bird surveys for waders and wildfowl in association with coastal developments.

Our project experience includes numerous surveys for proposed development sites including port developments, wind farms, roads, housing developments, hospitals and schools.

Bird Surveys

Most potential development sites will contain habitat which is suitable for supporting birds, whether during the breeding season or in winter. A due-diligence scoping survey should identify any potential constraints associated with birds and will enable a more focussed approach to further survey work.

Terrestrial bird surveys for the majority of development sites fall into two general categories: breeding bird survey and wintering bird survey.

A breeding bird survey will provide you with a list of species that breed, or are likely to breed, within a site. ECOSA use a territory-mapping method which provides a site map showing the number and location of bird breeding territories. This type of survey is extremely useful in assessing the likely impact of changes to a site, for example by stating that the removal of a hedgerow will impact upon x number of bird territories. The use of mapping also allows comparison between years and is most useful when comparing 'before and after' scenarios.

Winter bird surveys provide an assessment of wintering bird populations. Many bird species form large flocks during the winter months, particularly on farmland, large waterbodies and around our coastlines.

In some habitats, for example lowland heathland, there are species of particular ecological concern for which specialist survey methods are employed. ECOSA's ornithologists are experienced in undertaking specialist survey methods, e.g. for Nightjar and other nocturnal species.

Minimum survey requirements for breeding birds: three to five visits between April and June.

Minimum survey requirements for wintering birds: regular surveys throughout one winter.