Author Archive
Great Crested Newts – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to several frequently asked questions, which we hope will help you understand great crested newts and the need for surveys, licences and mitigation. You might enjoy testing your knowledge by completing our quick Great Crested Newt Quiz. Why are great crested newts protected? Where do great crested newts live? How long […]
Great Crested Newts – Seasons Ecology Benefits
Hannah and Kate have over 25 years’ experience of undertaking great crested newt surveys and managing projects relating to great crested newts. Between them they have held licences to survey great crested newts for over 20 years and have undertaken surveys in England, Wales and Scotland. Throughout their careers Kate and Hannah have advised on […]
Ecology – An Industry Update from 2013
2013 saw a number of changes within the ecology sector, many of which aim to improve standards and efficiency. Here is a summary of just a few: Royal Charter for the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management In spring 2014 IEEM was granted its Royal Charter and the professional membership body is now known as […]
Seasons Ecology are Celebrating a Year in Business!
The seasons over the past twelve months have been extreme with a very wet and snowy autumn/winter, a late and wet spring and finally a tropical summer. This hasn’t deterred us from donning our site boots and undertaking ecological surveys for our clients! Our Partnership, which was formed on the 15th August 2012, has been […]
Ecology Survey Seasons: January/February Tips
The start of the year is a good time to plan and programme ecological surveys for the up and coming survey seasons ahead. By planning ahead and taking account of various seasonal constraints posed by many protected species survey seasons project managers can avoid potential delays in submitting planning applications or enabling construction works. Seasons […]
BREEAM Calculator
Seasons Ecology has created an Excel spreadsheet based upon the formula provided within BREEAM, Code for Sustainable Homes and EcoHomes guidance for calculating the change in ecological value of a site. The calculator allows users to enter site specific information including habitat plot types, areas and species numbers before and after development. Once this information […]
BREEAM Ecology Credits
In general up to eight credits are available for LE 02 – LE 05 of BREEAM 2011 assessments (subject to specific schemes) and up to seven credits for Eco 1 – Eco 4 of EcoHomes and Code for Sustainable Homes assessments, which relate to the ecology of a site. This can make a real difference […]
Ecology Survey Seasons: November Tips
Why wait until spring? November and December are good months for undertaking specific ecological surveys and site clearance works. Winter surveys, particularly in combination with an ecological desk study, can assess the likely presence of protected species and/or species of note and scope the need for further ecological surveys (if any). This can ensure that […]
Ecology Surveys for all Seasons
Many developers are aware of the constraints that many ecological survey seasons can have on a project programme having previously encountered delays to planning applications due to the likes of hibernating bats and great crested newts, for example. However, there are some ecological surveys that can be undertaken throughout the year and can help project […]