AAe’s ecologists provide support on projects where the presence of badgers may need to be taken into consideration and advise on guidance and practical solutions to ensure the scheme does not contravene current legislation protecting badgers and their setts (Protection of Badgers Act 1992).  Services include:

• Badger surveys – to establish whether badgers may or may not be active on the site, or immediate surrounding area;
• Bait marking – to help establish and provide clear information on the location of badger territories in the area;
• Applying for licences to close setts;
• Badger mitigation – including the complete supervision of excluding badgers from setts (under licence), construction of artificial setts and habitat enhancement.

AAe work with Natural England and the Local Authority in the Client’s interest to provide a workable solution and suitable mitigation for the project

AAe’s ecologists provide support on projects where the presence of badgers may need to be taken into consideration and advise on guidance and practical solutions to ensure the scheme does not contravene current legislation protecting badgers and their setts (Protection of Badgers Act 1992).  Services include:

• Badger surveys – to establish whether badgers may or may not be active on the site, or immediate surrounding area;
• Bait marking – to help establish and provide clear information on the location of badger territories in the area;
• Applying for licences to close setts;
• Badger mitigation – including the complete supervision of excluding badgers from setts (under licence), construction of artificial setts and habitat enhancement.

AAe work with Natural England and the Local Authority in the Client’s interest to provide a workable solution and suitable mitigation for the project

AAe’s ecologists are experience in surveying for a wide variety of wild birds, including barn owls, wintering birds, nesting birds and breeding birds. Our team can determine whether the scheme will require a specific bird survey.  AAe can also advise on avoiding any negative impacts the development may have on wild birds and applying mitigation and compensation methods when avoidance is not possible.

Services that AAe can provide include:

• Liaison with local record centres, bird clues etc. to establish whether a wild bird survey may be needed on a development site.
• Advise on preventing birds nesting before a development takes place.
• Advise on providing replacement nesting sites for any that are removed.
• Recommend and source a suitable amount of replacement habitat where birds are displaced, especially Section 41 birds and red and amber listed species.
• Post-development monitoring where birds are displaced or affected by development.
• Production of Bird Control/Hazard Management Plans in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority.

AAe’s ecologists have extensive experience in surveying for dormice and can provide survey reports and mitigation plans for any development projects that could affect dormice. They can also advise and oversee applying for mitigation licenses, and the supervision of their implementation.

Our ecologists are experienced in a range of survey techniques including:

• Nest tube surveys
• Nest box surveys
• Nut search surveys

AAe’s ecologist are fully rehearsed in a range of great crested newt survey techniques and can produce concise advice, reports and mitigation at all stages of development. Within the team, there are licensed surveyors with in-depth knowledge of survey methods, mitigation measures, and licensing requirements. AAe can provide the following survey services:

• Initial site appraisal using the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI);
• Presence/absence and monitoring surveys using eDNA testing or traditional surveying techniques; and
• Population size class assessments.

AAe ecologists will work with the Client to develop a workable mitigation solution. AAe can provide non-licenced method statements under avoidance measures. Where impacts cannot be avoided, AAe can implement mitigation and translocation plans. AAe are experienced in securing EPS licences allowing works to proceed. AAe will guide the Client through the entire licensing process.

AAe’s ecologists have extensive experience in surveying for otters and can provide survey reports and mitigation plans for any development projects that could affect otters. They can provide advice on cost-effective and practical solutions to avoiding any negative impacts of the development on otters but, where impacts are unavoidable, advise and oversee applying for mitigation licenses, and the supervision of their implementation

Surveying techniques including searching for evidence of otters, such as:

• dung (spraints)
• tracks (footprints)
• feeding remains
• otter slides (into water)
• holts (underground dens)
• couches (above ground sites where otters rest during the day)

AAe’s ecologists undertake reptile surveys and mitigation for all native species in the U.K. This includes common lizards, sand lizards, slow worms, smooth snakes, grass snakes and adders. AAe undertake site specific survey requirements and mitigation for development and construction projects of all sizes. Services include:

• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals;
• Method Statements and mitigation design;
• Hand-searches, destructive search and watching briefs;
• Translocation surveys; and
• Completion of report to support Client requirements.

AAe’s ecologists have extensive experience in surveying for water voles and can provide survey reports and mitigation plans for any development projects that could affect water voles. They can also advise and oversee applying for mitigation licenses, and the supervision of their implementation.

Survey techniques used include recording signs of:

• Faeces;
• Latrines;
• feeding stations;
• burrows;
• footprints;
• runs or pathways.