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Demolition in progress

  • April 22, 2019
  • Bats
Demolition in progress

Demolition in progress

WFE was commissioned on behalf of a developer to undertake a protected species survey on a derelict house, associated outbuildings and property near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The appraisal ruled out the potential for great crested newt impacts, but identified bats using the house to roost. Therefore, an EPS license was needed to legally carry out the demolition of the house. WFE’s licensed bat workers completed further bat activity surveys to satisfy the conditions for an EPS license application. 

WFE’s ecologists assisted the client in detailed negotiations with Huntingdon District Council to obtain planning permission for the project and to agree suitable planning conditions.

Once planning permission was granted, WFE successfully applied for an EPS license on behalf of the client. Bat exclusion measures were enacted and the demolition was carried out to schedule under the supervision of an ecologist, as per the license agreement with Natural England. Compensatory bat boxes were erected on trees within the site and three more boxes have been mounted on the completed new builds, which will provide additional bat habitat on the developed site.

Heathland habitat assessment for stone curlew

stone curlew habitat survey

Stone Curlews

Wild Frontier was commissioned by the RSPB and Natural England to conduct a survey and assessment of heathland habitat for stone curlews in the Norfolk and Suffolk Breckland. Stone curlews are a rare summer visitor in East Anglia, and are afforded special protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. 

The survey involved visiting each site and categorising the habitat based on vegetation height – an important factor in determining suitability for stone curlew nesting. WFE then mapped the habitats on site and calculated which areas were suitable for stone curlew. 

The assessment provided an indication of site condition and potential population capacity for stone curlew, which can now inform conservation efforts and habitat management for the species. 

Vantage Point Survey

  • April 22, 2019
  • Blog

Graham conducting a vantage point survey

WFE completed a five year monitoring study of bird movements at an operational wind farm site in Suffolk. WFE had completed the pre-construction surveys, and monitoring was necessary to determine avoidance effects for two sensitive species. We undertook carcass searches and repeat vantage point surveys, and were able to determine actual collision rates and compare them with those projected in the Environmental Impact Assessment. The results have been used to inform overall vulnerability assessments of seabirds and other species.

Badger

  • April 22, 2019
  • Blog
Badger

Badger

WFE provided protected species surveys and reports leading to the successful planning consent at Middlewick Wind Farm in Essex.  We then provided ecological clerk of works during the construction phase of the project. This included excluding water vole from areas of impact and applying for a Natural England licence to close a badger sett. The badgers were relocated and the turbines constructed. We are now overseeing the installation of a range of ecological enhancements and conducting post construction monitoring at the site.

Riparian Mammals

  • April 22, 2019
  • Blog
Water vole survey

Water vole survey

As part of ongoing Environment Agency river restoration works, WFE has undertaken surveys for protected water vole and otter along multiple sections of the River Wensum SAC. These were carried out alongside habitat surveys and targeted surveys for bats and badgers.

The riparian mammal surveys focused primarily on the main river channel, and often involved a finger-tip search of the banks. Our survey results and impact assessments were used to inform restoration designs and mitigation protocol. Once restoration works were complete, further surveys have been conducted to determine the success of the project.

EPS licence

Euston Estate

Newt fencing in place

WFE obtained an EPS mitigation licence for great crested newt on behalf of the Euston Estate in Suffolk, to temporarily exclude newts during construction of a reservoir.

Surveys were completed to established the presence of great crested newts on the site and surrounding area and assess pond suitability. This found newts were breeding in a pond within the footprint of the development and were in other adjacent ponds. Therefore mitigation was required, and the project was completed under an EPS licence.

The works involved the erection of exclusion fencing, trapping of the site, draining of the pond within the footprint and translocation of any animals found to a suitable release site.

To compensate for the loss of terrestrial newt habitat and the pond, two new ponds were dug, ponds and 6 hectares of land adjacent to the site were enhanced to improve connectivity for newts around the site.

Offshore Wind Farm

  • April 22, 2019
  • Blog

Common toad and great crested newt

WFE worked on the subterranean cable route for the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm (approximately 45km). This has largely been constructed. Work included HSI assessment, pre-planning and pre-construction surveys for the route and substation proposals.

 

During the surveys WFE assessed around 251 ponds for great crested newt. These included garden, woodland, field, and roadside ponds as well as ditch networks. WFE staff were responsible for maintaining good relations with the various landowners along the route. This was done by ensuring that, where required, time was taken to explain the surveys and address landowner’s concerns.

Surveys were conducted in line with the Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines and allowed for a successful mitigation strategy to be approved by Natural England.Having successfully surveyed the ponds, WFE was able to demonstrate that along the route there were 57 occupied ponds.

Relocation of common lizards

Will translocating a Slow Worm

Will translocating a Slow Worm

Wild-Frontier Ecology completed the successful removal and relocation of common lizards and slow worm from a housing development site in Suffolk. 

After negotiation with the local council, over 200 animals were translocated to a nearby Country Park and the site was cleared without any mortality. We performed ecological clerk of works duties whilst the vegetation was removed, working closely with the contractors to ensure no animals were killed. Three hibernacula were installed on the receiving site to support the increased reptile population.

For further examples of  our work with reptiles see the mitigation page.

IEEM conference – Cardiff

  • November 7, 2012
  • News

Rob will be attending the IEEM conference in Cardiff today. The conference is on the subject of Renewables and Biodiversity.

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