Signs of spring

Over the winter period, as ecologists we generally spend less time outside and more time in the office and like the bats, dormice and hedgehogs we often feel like hibernating after a busy season of survey work! The show must go on however, and it’s a good time for reporting writing, general housekeeping and reflecting over the past year.

This winter however has been a little different – at the end of 2018, Burton Reid introduced a new service to our clients. We are now able to offer land management services such as vegetation clearance, erection of reptile/newt fencing and creation/installation of habitats for wildlife.

As a result, we have been busy outdoors undertaking scrub clearance, putting up reptile fencing in advance of upcoming reptile translocations and constructing hibernacula. By offering this service we are able to ‘cut out the middle man’ in that there is no need for a contractor plus an ecologist to be present on sites in a supervisory role. We are hoping to expand this service in 2019.

So moving on from our winter activities, it’s now reaching the time of year when wildlife is starting to stir. The birds have been noticeably more active as they gear up for nesting, the blackthorn is in flower, the bluebell leaves are starting to emerge. It’s an exciting time and brings with it a feeling of anticipation – spring is on it’s way at last!

Spring is a good time to commission an ecological survey. With the whole season ahead, it gives ample opportunity to plan in surveys for protected species which usually require repeat visits to sites throughout the spring and summer and into the autumn.

Working in this way gives clients the best chance of getting all the ecological information required for their planning submissions in one season. So, if you are thinking of commissioning a survey get in touch with our friendly team – now is an ideal time.