Protected SpeciesSurveys

We provide protected species services across the UK, supporting projects from feasibility through to long-term habitat management. Our experienced team delivers targeted protected species surveys, mitigation strategies, licensing support and ongoing monitoring.

Full Survey Calendar

  • Bat Survey

    Where development proposals impact suitable habitats for roosting bats, such as buildings or trees, bat survey work will be required due to the strict legal protection afforded to all UK bat species.

  • Reptile Survey

    Where development proposals impact suitable reptile habitats, such as long grass, rubble piles, or grassland mosaic, reptile surveys will be required where reptiles may be harmed or disturbed due to their legal protection.

  • Newt Survey

    Where development proposals impact ponds or are within 500 m of a pond, great crested newt surveys may be required where development could potentially harm or disturb this legally protected species.

  • dor

    Dormouse Survey

    Where development proposals impact suitable habitats for dormice, such as woodland, scrub, or hedgerows, dormouse survey work will be required due to the strict legal protection afforded to this species.

  • Badger by Andrew Parkinson/ 2020 Vision
    © Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION

    Badger Survey

    Where development proposals could disturb badgers, block access to setts, or damage active or historic setts on or near a site, badger surveys will be required due to their legal protection.

  • A black and white Pied Avocet bird drinking water

    Bird Survey

    Where development proposals could potentially harm or disturb wild birds, their nests, or nests containing eggs or young—particularly species listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act—appropriate bird survey work will be required due to the legal protection afforded to these species.

  • © Greg Hitchcock

    Water Vole Survey

    Where development proposals impact suitable water vole habitats, such as rivers, streams, marshes, reedbeds, or wet moorland, water vole surveys will be required where this legally protected species may be harmed or disturbed.

  • Chris Gomersall
    © Chris Gomersall/2020VISION

    Otter Survey

    Where development proposals impact otters or suitable habitats, such as water bodies, rivers, or wetlands, otter surveys will be required where this legally protected species may be harmed or disturbed.

  • © Emley 050519

    Other Species Survey

    We offer a wide range of additional protected species surveys and can work closely with you to identify and deliver the specific survey requirements needed for your site.

Species Mitigation Licenses

What is it?

Species mitigation licences are required where planned works will impact protected species or their habitats, ensuring legal compliance and safeguarding populations. Where the presence of protected species has been identified within a site, if impacts from a development cannot be avoided, survey work is required to provide sufficient information in order in order to support a European protected species mitigation (EPSM) license application to natural England. Adonis Blue Environmental Consultants prepare and manage protected species licence applications, tailored to each client and project.

When is it needed ?

You will need a mitigation licence if your development works are likely to affect protected species, including European Protected Species (EPS) (Bats, Great crested newts, Otter, Dormice, White clawed crayfish and Beaver), badgers, or certain species listed under Schedules 5 (Water vole and Roman Snail), 6 or 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

ABEC can carry out the necessary surveys to confirm whether protected species are present and if a licence is required, with most surveys undertaken in spring and summer, so early enquiry ahead of the March survey season is recommended.

Case Studies

  • Kent & East Sussex Railway

  • Blean Bison Tunnels

Survey Calandar

Key
Optimal
Sub-optimal
Not Recommended
SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Badgers
Surveys can take place at any time of year (vegetation limits visibility in summer; activity above ground in winter)
Bats - Initial
Initial bat roost assessment of buildings and trees can take place all year; winter months preferable for trees
Bats - Roosting
Hibernation surveys only
Transition roost surveys
Dawn / Dusk Bat presence / Likely absence surveys and activity surveys. Multiple visits spaced across the season
Mating roost surveys
Hibernation surveys only
Birds - Breeding
Multiple visits spaces across the season
Birds - Wintering
Multiple visits across the season
Multiple visits across the season
Botanicals
Mosses, liverworts and lichens only
Surveys for higher plants and ferns. Timing varies depending on habitat
Mosses, liverworts and lichens only
Dormice
Nest tube surveys: multiple visits between April and November
Great Crested Newts - HSI
Initial Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) surveys can take place at any time of year
Great Crested Newts - eDNA
eDNA surveys: Apr - Jun. std survey: multiple visits between Mar - Jun (core period mid-Apr to mid-May)
Invertebrates
Multiple visits required throughout season, timings will vary between species
Prelim Appraisal / Habitats & Vegetation
Otters
Surveys can take place at any time of year (although weather and vegetation cover may be limiting factors)
Reptiles
Multiple visits spaced across the season
Multiple visits
Water Voles
First visit required April - June; Second visit July - September