Professional services

Today, many wildlife species and habitats are protected by national and international legislation, which can pose a potential problem to developers if not identified at an early stage. When identified at an early stage, opportunities exist to enhance schemes through appropriate mitigation measures, for the benefit of the development and for wildlife.

Drawing on the expertise of our ecologists, the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) is able to offer a wide range of ecological consultancy services which aim to inform all stages of your development. From years of experience working in conservation and developments, our fully trained team hold the relevant licences required to undertake surveys for protected species and habitats. 

Desk studies

Desk studies are the basic starting point of most ecological surveys and aim to identify what species and habitats are present within and adjacent to the proposed development area to better inform future surveys.

Existing ecological information is collated from numerous sources, including Local Records Centres (LRCs), partner conservation organisations, Statutory Bodies and WTSWW’s own extensive species records database. In addition to species and habitats, land designated for its conservation interest is also sought.

The resulting report will not only highlight known protected species and habitats recorded on or in the vicinity of the development site, but will also assess how the site is viewed in a local and national context, through the relevant Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs).

Habitat Assessments 

Phase I vegetation surveys

Phase I surveys form the basis of most ecological site assessments and are designed to ensure all major habitat types are identified, along with target notes of key associated species, potential issues and any features of ecological importance.
The resulting report will highlight key habitats and features, accurately illustrated using GIS mapping and fixed point photography.

Phase II vegetation surveys
For more sensitive sites, detailed Phase II surveys can be undertaken, which aim to classify each habitat compartment based on species composition. A full vegetation survey of the development site accompanies the Phase II survey to ensure that no flora species are missed.

Tree Survey
Increasingly, more emphasis is being placed on identifying the importance of individual trees within a potential development site, due to their ecological and landscape value. WTSWW’s team of Arboroculturists can provide a detailed assessment of individual trees, following current best practice guidelines. During assessments, biometric data such as height, girth, spread and age of the tree are measured to inform the scheme and to ensure important trees are protected during and after the development.

Protected species surveys

The WTSWW ecological consultancy has a fully trained team of dedicated ecologists, who have experience of protected species relating to potential developments and through surveying and managing positively for them on our nature reserves. Our team is fully licensed to undertake a number of protected species surveys including:

Mammals

• Badgers
• Otters
• Bats
• Dormice
• Water vole
• Small mammals

Birds
• Breeding Birds
• Wintering Birds

Herpetiles
• Grass Snake
• Common Lizard
• Slow Worm
• Adder
• Common Frog
• Common Toad
• Great Crested Newt
• Palmate Newt
• Smooth Newt

Invertebrates
• Dragonflies and Damselflies
• Butterflies and Moths
• Marsh Fritillary

Mitigation and monitoring

Mitigation
If the presence of a protected species or its place of shelter has been detected during ecological surveys it is likely that a mitigation strategy will be required from Statutory Bodies and the Local Authority.

WTSWW are able to inform the mitigation strategy through recommendations made during ecological surveys and from extensive experience in managing sites for habitats and species. The strategy aims to safeguard protected species during the development and ensure the long-term viability of the species’ population post development works.

Such mitigation schemes may include the creation of additional habitat within the development area, erection of bat boxes or bat houses or species and habitat translocation.

Translocation
Many species often have to be translocated to suitable habitats outside of the proposed development area. Translocation is often only undertaken when mitigation schemes within the development area are not possible. WTSWW has been involved in past translocation projects for both reptiles and great crested newts.

Monitoring
To ensure that mitigation schemes are successful and there has been no detrimental affect on protected species or their habitats, Statutory Organisations and Local Authorities require a period of monitoring for a number of years post development.
During the monitoring period, populations can be assessed to establish how they have reacted to the development and the mitigation strategy. Given our expertise in species and habitat management, WTSWW are well placed to undertake monitoring schemes and long term site management when required.

We are able to be able to offer the services of our skilled and experienced reserves management team to organisations involved in conservation land management, companies and private landowners.

The services we offer include:

• Footpath clearance & vegetation management
• Woodland management & coppicing
• Grassland management
• New woodland creation and planting
• Invasive species eradication programmes
• Low impact small diameter timber extraction
• Mobile sawmilling
• Installation of riven oak fencing, post & rail fencing and gates.
• Supply and installation of benches, notice boards and other outdoor furniture
• Supply and installation of a variety of nest boxes
• Installation of boardwalks & bridges
• Creation & management of schools outdoor classrooms
• Demonstrations of sawmilling, greenwood working etc at events
• We can also sometimes offer for sale small quantities of sawn timber, coppice wood products & firewood from management of our nature reserves.

Local Wildlife Sites are a way of recognising some of the best places for wildlife locally. They are areas considered to be of particular conservation value because of the habitats or species they support.

Local Wildlife Sites play a crucial role by providing wildlife refuges, protecting threatened species and habitats, and acting as links and corridors between other valuable sites.

Do you own a Wildlife Site in south east Wales?

Find out more about how you can access advice about your Wildlife Site, advice about accessing small grant schemes to help with capital works projects that support the restoration and enhancement of Local Wildlife Sites and so much more.