Acer Ecology’s fully licensed ecologists have carried out numerous reptile surveys across Herefordshire and the surrounding areas. Protected species surveys are often required to support planning applications. Our ecologists have extensive experience in surveying and designing mitigation for reptiles and can advise you on survey methodology, legal protection, mitigation options and the timing of development works.
Our ecologists are experienced in reptile survey. We undertake reptile surveys in and around Herefordshire, including Hereford, Leominster, Ross-on-Wye, Kington, Monkland, Wigmore, Ledbury, Bishop’s Frome, Tenbury Wells, Symonds Yat, Dorstone and Withington.
There are four widespread species of British reptile all of which are all commonly encountered on development sites:
- grass snake;
- slow-worm;
- adder; and
- common lizard.
These animals are given so called ‘partial protection’ under UK law, and it is an offence to deliberately kill or injure individual animals. The habitats of common reptiles are not specifically protected, though developers are often obliged to replace any reptile habitat lost as a result of development.
Reptile surveys combines two techniques: a visual search and the use of artificial refugia. Surveys are seasonally constrained to between April and September, when animals are active and unlikely to be hibernating.
Reptile mitigation is also seasonally constrained to the period from April to September, and generally involves the erection of reptile-proof fencing and the use of artificial refugia. Substantial effort is required to capture and transfer animals off-site to pre-prepared receptor sites. Protected Species Licences are required if development proposals will affect the two scarce species smooth snake and sand lizard, although these are only rarely found on development sites.
For more information about Reptile surveys any of our other ecological services, please contact Acer Ecology on 02920 650 331, or email enquiries@acerecology.co.uk.
