Ecological Habitat Surveys & Protected Species
Phase 1 Survey (Initial baseline)
Phase 1 Surveys are very regularly undertaken and provide a basic ecological audit technique and valuable information when making decisions about an area, such as in conservation management and planning decisions. Phase 1 Surveys provide a relatively quick technique for recording the wildlife habitat and basic vegetation information for an area. Target notes are used to highlight particularly important features. Phase 1 'habitat' Surveys can be 'extended' to include scoping work for protected species at the same time. Timings of these surveys are crucial in order to get good data and not hold up a project, as consents and licences' may be needed for any mitigation procedures.
Phase 2 Survey [NVC]
Phase 2 Surveys often follow on from Phase 1 and are more detailed. They are used when more detailed vegetation information is required for selected areas and are defined in terms of the plant communities, ideally as defined by the National Vegetation Classification (NVC). Phase 2 Surveys can also include animal information. Survey for, and allocation of, NVC type classes, provides essential information on the value of wildlife resources found at a particular site, and importantly, places this information in the context of other resources to be found in the immediate vicinity. Such information is often helpful when considering potential development or mitigation strategies in an area.
Great crested newt
Due to the protection afforded to the species, all survey techniques must be conducted by a licensed individual. However, habitat suitability assessments can be made without a license, and can be conducted at any time of the year. As newts are largely nocturnal, surveying is best conducted at night, and during the breeding period of mid March to mid June. Four visits are required to determine presence or absence, or six visits to estimate population size class. In either case, 50% of the visits must take place between mid April and mid May. A combination of techniques is used on each occasion:
Egg search
Eggs of this species are larger than the other species (about 5mm in diameter), and are laid on the leaves of submerged plants which are then neatly folded over.
Torching
High power torches are used to shine into the pond at night when newts are most active.Netting
A long-handled dip net is used to search for newts.Bottle trapping
Plastic bottle traps are submerged in the water at dusk, and checked and removed the following morning. These are only used when the night-time temperature is suitable. Newts swim into the traps and are unable to exit until released.Terrestrial search
Refugia such as logs, rubble, discarded carpet and wood are carefully inspected underneath and then replaced. This is best done during the daytime and can be done out of the breeding season.
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