Grass Identification for Beginners – June 6th 2013 The Grass ID course is a focused training day during which we will look at the structure of grasses and learn to understand the terminology used in keys. We will then go into how to identify the more common species. The course will involve both indoor and [...]
Time Running Out to Undertake Great Crested Newt Surveys
Great crested newts are fully protected under UK and European law. The protection extends to the individual animals and to the habitats which support them. Great crested newts are regularly encountered on building sites. As we have just entered the start of May you are running out of time to commission a great crested newt [...]
Main Bat Survey Season Starts Now
The bat survey season for activity surveys starts now. Nocturnal bat surveys involve surveyors observing a development site at dawn or dusk to watch for emerging or returning bats. The Bat Survey Guidelines recommend that surveys should be carried out between May and mid September. Our licensed bat specialists are able to undertake all aspects of bat [...]
Ecology Training Courses 2013
Starting this spring, Acer Ecology will be running a whole range of wildlife courses at the Wenvoe Community Centre and Bute Park, Cardiff. The courses are aimed at anyone with an interest in local wildlife and start at a beginner’s level. Whether you’re interested in identifying the wild plants in your garden, the newts on [...]
Plant Identification Course for Beginners
Plant Identification for Beginners – Wednesday 8th May 2013 This one-day plant identification course aims to introduce you to the morphology and terminology of flowering plants and how to identify the most common families, especially the most frequently encountered British species from the common families. Floral specimens and use of botanical keys will be used [...]
April is a Good Time to Undertake Dormouse Nest Tube Surveys
April is a good time to begin undertaking dormouse nest-tube surveys. Ideally, dormouse nest tubes should be in place in early April in time to attract dormouse when they come out of hibernation in late April to early May. The exact time that dormouse emerge from hibernation varies from year to year, dependent on weather [...]
New Nautral Resources Body for Wales
On 1st April 2013 Natural Resources Wales became operational when it took over the the functions previously carried out by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and Forestry Commission Wales (FCW), the devolved functions of Environment Agency Wales (EAW) and assumes some functions previously taken by the Welsh Government (WG). All protected species licences previously [...]
Breathable Roofing Membranes No Longer Accepted in Bat Roosts by Statutory Agencies
Research on bats and breathable membranes is being conducted by Stacey Waring at the University of Reading and the Bat Conservation Trust based upon the question ‘what constitutes a bat friendly breathable roofing membrane?’ The research indicates that breathable roofing membranes are causing mass mortalities of bats in roofs, particularly during the breeding season. The [...]
Tree Survey & Inspection Course for Beginners
Tree Survey & Inspection for Beginners – August 5th 2013 This one-day course will provide tree survey and inspection training at a basic level for people with limited arboricultural knowledge. Participants will be taught to identify obvious defects from ground level and to report their findings. The course will be taught by Bettina Broadway-Mann. To [...]
Japanese Knotweed and Development Sites
On development sites, Japanese knotweed can grow through the smallest cracks in tarmac, paving and building structures and break them apart. It can rapidly spread to other areas if its root fragments and rhizomes are disturbed. Invasive species cost the UK economy £1.7 billion each year. Many non-native species cause no harm, and some are [...]