I offer a broad range of ecological survey and consultancy services covering everything from initial advice through to detailed surveys, licensing, on-site support and habitat management. If you have been told you need an ecology survey, I can explain why and then tell you exactly what you need.
If you have been told you need an ecology survey, I can explain why and then tell you exactly what you need
Preliminary Ecological Appraisals made straightforward — Phase 1 and UK Habitat surveys with clear advice on protected species
I happily perform surveys for great crested newts, reptiles, dormice and bats, and lots of other species too.
Ecological Management Plans written and delivered on site, with hands-on habitat management for real biodiversity gains
Practical on-site ecological advice, helping you protect biodiversity and deliver high-quality ecological enhancements
I am happy to support other ecologists as a subcontractor, working collaboratively to achieve positive results, and always respect existing client relationships.
Ecology is the science of the relationships between living organisms and their environment. In over two decades of ecological problem solving, I have found that any attempt to predict the likely effect of a particular action on the environment or a particular species, it is most helpful to make a prediction of all the potential outcomes, both bad and also good. This is irrespective of the scale of the project. As a result, I have had to develop my skills to encompass as wide a palette as is reasonable in one lifetime.
In all the services I offer, I am sufficiently confident to:
If you are looking for clear, sensible advice in plain English, fairly priced and supported on the ground throughout your project, please do contact me.
All the areas in which I have specialist knowledge are underpinned by a comprehensive literature review, thoroughly tested in the field, and written up in accounts that are publicly available for peer review.
Reports and materials that I have produced can be downloaded in the Resources section, and many more are available on my Encounters page.
Phase 1, UK Habitat Classification (ukhabs), Habitat Condition Assessment, NVC, Hedgerow Regulations, Veteran & Ancient Trees, BS5837 surveys.
Habitat Suitability Index, terrestrial searches, population size class assessment, eDNA, development Licensing, pitfall trapping, pond and terrestrial habitat design and monitoring.
Presence / absence survey (including sand lizard and smooth snake), adder Habitat Suitability Index, development Licensing, translocation, dissuasion, habitat design and monitoring.
Nest safeguarding, peregrine survey, barn own survey, habitat design and monitoring.
Presence / absence survey, development Licensing, fingertip searches, dissuasion, habitat design and monitoring.
Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) of trees and buildings, tree climbing roost survey (also MEWP qualified), close inspections using endoscopes etc., emergence surveys, activity surveys (including swarming), subterranean surveys (caves and mines), development Licensing, habitat design and monitoring, Habitat Regulations Assessment.
Sett survey, development Licensing (including exclusions), habitat design and monitoring.
Competent to fell up to 300 mm and section using chainsaw, and to use a brush-cutter to manipulate habitats for enhancement purposes; e.g., creating log-piles and glades for herpetofauna.
I am a Chartered Ecologist based in Barnstaple, covering North Devon, and the South West of England.