There are many kinds of ecological surveys but they can be broadly divided into those for habitats and those for biological taxa (individual species and groups of animals and plants), although there is some overlap.

To make things easier, we have devised a series of protocols for different types of survey. They are listed below and you will also find them on our on-line quotes pages and elsewhere on our site. The navigation menu bar to the right (hover your mouse pointer over “Betts Ecology”) offers links to the survey types most commonly requested:

Baseline Surveys (with a short introduction to surveys in general);
Desktop Data Trawl;
Phase 1 Habitat, Protected Species and Biodiversity Surveys;
Phase 2 Habitat Survey;
Arboricultural Survey;
Other Specialist Surveys.

Follow the link for a short description of each of these – then contact us or fill in our on-line quotation form by clicking the blue button on any page.

Here is a more detailed analysis of the surveys we offer with their Betts Ecology protocol codes. These are of our own devising and form part of our in-house operating manual, but our methods are those of biological field science and generally follow best practice as issued by the professional institutes and statutory bodies.

Habitat Surveys

HAUD Site ecological audit

HAUD1	Baseline site walk-over inspection and short focus report.
HAUD2	Data trawl and desk study, third party consultation.
HAUD3	Phase 1 Habitat Survey, map and target notes.
HAUD4	Extended Phase 1 - habitat survey with map, species lists, nature conservation evaluation (Ratcliffe criteria), written report of results with conclusions and appropriate recommendations.
HAUD5	River habitat and related surveys, assessments such as MTR (mean trophic rank), mapped results.
HAUD6	Woodland grants - ecological survey and completion of forms.
HAUD7	Phase 2 Habitat Survey. Detailed specialist surveys/phytosociological study (quadrat analysis, National Vegetation Classification/CORINE, etc.) and written report. (See above for specialist fauna surveys); synecological and autecological flora studies (includes mosses and lichens).
HAUD8	Specialist Habitats not covered above (e.g. dead wood, caves & subterranean, marine, artificial) with report.
HAUD9	EcoHomes and EcoSchools (BREEAM) assessments and similar third party quality schemes. (These may include survey elements from the other HAUD protocols.)

Taxon-specific surveys

These are mainly concerned with fauna where taxon-specific target surveys are required. For vegetation, fungi and general species lists see SOTH below or the Ecological Site Audit section above.

SGEN General survey for evidence of presence of protected and/or notable species

SGEN1	Scoping/data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SGEN2	Site visit and field survey (season, number of visits, methods - specify).
SGEN3	Written report (format/template) with findings and recommendations for any appropriate further work.

SBGR Badger

SBGR1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SBGR2	Field survey.
SBGR3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SBGR4	Mitigation/conservation (licence, sett closure, monitoring).
SBGR5	Protective fencing.
SBGR6	Artificial sett (design, construction, habituation/scent marking).
SBGR7	Sett tunnel extension.
SBGR8	Bait marking.
SBGR9	Faecal analysis.

SBTG Bats (general)

SBTG1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SBTG2	Field survey (buildings, trees, caves, other roosts; methods incl. search for droppings, echo-location, observation - specify).
SBTG3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SBTG4	Inform statutory authority (e.g. Natural England) (liaise, implement advice).
SBTG5	Mitigation/enhancement, licence, translocation/conservation.
SBTG6	Artificial and semi-artificial bat roosts & accesses (caves, trees, boxes, house tiles, grilles etc. - design/specification/ construction).
SBTG7	Management Plan (use NCMP protocol below) (funding, implementation, monitoring).

SDMS Dormouse

SDMS1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SDMS2	Field survey (nut/feeding search, tubes, typical habitat).
SDMS3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SDMS4	Mitigation/enhancement/monitoring, licence, trapping, translocation/conservation.
SDMS5	Habitat design, specification and planting, boxes.
SDMS6	Management Plan (use NCMP protocol below) (funding, implementation, monitoring).

SWOT Otter

SWOT1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SWOT2	Field survey (feeding signs, holts, spraint, tracks).
SWOT3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SWOT4	Mitigation/enhancement/monitoring.
SWOT5	Management Plan (use NCMP protocol below) (funding, implementation, monitoring).

SWVL Water vole

SWVL1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SWVL2	Field survey (feeding signs, burrows, faeces, tracks).
SWVL3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SWVL4	Mitigation/enhancement, licence (if affects habitat), translocation/conservation.
SWVL5	New habitat design/specification/construction.
SWVL6	Management Plan (use NCMP protocol below) (funding, implementation, monitoring).

SBDG Wild Birds (general)

SBDG1	Basic written advice (on protection, seasonality, precautions).
SBDG2	Breeding bird survey, field examination for nesting and nests, cordons sanitaires.
SBDG3	Wintering Bird Survey
SWVL4	Common Bird Census
SBDG5	Artificial nests/nest boxes (design, construction, erection) (incl. barn owl, peregrine - see also below).

SKFR Kingfisher

SKFR1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SKFR2	Field survey.
SKFR3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SKFR4	Mitigation/enhancement, licence (if necessary), conservation.
SKFR5	Nest bank design/creation, specification.
SKFR6	Management Plan.

SBNL Barn owl

SBNL1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SBNL2	Field survey.
SBNL3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SBNL4	Mitigation/enhancement, licence (if necessary), conservation (for nest boxes see SBDG5).
SBNL5	Pellet analysis.
SBNL6	Management Plan.

Black redstart

SBRS1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SBRS2	Field survey.
SBRS3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SBRS4	Mitigation/enhancement, licence (if necessary), conservation.
SBRS5	Management Plan

SLRP Little ringed plover

SLRP1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SLRP2	Field survey.
SLRP3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SLRP4	Mitigation/enhancement, licence (if necessary), conservation.
SLRP5	Management Plan

SPRG Peregrine

SPRG1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SPRG2	Field survey.
SPRG3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SPRG4	Mitigation/enhancement (cliff mesh), licence (if necessary), conservation (for nest platforms SBDG5).
SPRG5	Pellet analysis.
SPRG6	Management.

Note. Other falcons are also increasing and will doubtless become more frequently encountered for survey and mitigation (e.g. red kite); similar protocols apply. Use SOTH below for now.

SGCN Great crested newt

SGCN1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SGCN2	Field survey (season, methods (egg search, net, torch, bottle trap, refuge search - specify)).
SGCN3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SGCN4	Mitigation/enhancement, licence, translocation/conservation.
SGCN5	GCN pond design, specification and construction.
SGCN6	GCN fencing specification.
SGCN7	Management Plan.

SREP Reptiles (general)

SREP1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SREP2	Field survey (search, artificial refuges).
SREP3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SREP4	Mitigation/enhancement, trapping, translocation/conservation.
SREP5	New habitat design/specification/construction.
SREP6	Management Plan.

SCLZ Common lizard

SCLZ1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SCLZ2	Field survey (search, roofing felt refuges, tinning).
SCLZ3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SCLZ4	Mitigation/enhancement, trapping, translocation/conservation.
SCLZ5	New habitat design/specification/construction.
SCLZ6	Management Plan.

SSWM Slow-worm

SSWM1	Data trawl/consultation/desk study.
SSWM2	Field survey (search, roofing felt refuges, tinning).
SSWM3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SSWM4	Mitigation/enhancement, trapping, translocation/conservation.
SSWM5	New habitat design/specification/construction.
SSWM6	Management Plan.

Note. Similar protocols for grass snake and adder - use SREP general reptiles above.

SFAI Freshwater aquatic invertebrates

SFAI1	Data trawl/desk study.
SFAI2	Sampling and identification to genus level (macro-invertebrates); ISO 7828.
SFAI3	Identification to species level (macro-invertebrates).
SFAI4	Sampling and identification of micro-invertebrates.
SFAI5	Water quality estimation from biological taxa scores
SFAI6	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SFAI7	Mitigation/enhancement/monitor/management.

SFCF Freshwater crayfish

SFCF1	Data trawl/desk study.
SFCF2	Survey (methods - hand search, trapping, nocturnal observation - specify, pathogen limitation) and identification of species.
SFCF3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SFCF4	Translocation (licence).
SFCF5	Habitat creation/enhancement/monitoring.

SLSW Lesser silver water-beetle

SLSW1	Data trawl/desk study.
SLSW2	Pond netting survey (licence).
SLSW3	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
SLSW4	Translocation (licence).
SLSW5	Habitat creation/enhancement/monitoring.

STMI Terrestrial macro-invertebrates

STMI1	Data trawl/desk study.
STMI2	General entomological site survey (major groups)
STMI3	LEPIDOPTERA (diurnal) - survey and identification to species.
STMI4	LEPIDOPTERA (nocturnal) - survey and identification to species.
STMI5	COLEOPTERA - survey and identification to species.
STMI6	ODONATA - survey and identification to species.
STMI7	Other groups as specified (e.g. DIPTERA, HYMENOPTERA, MOLLUSCA) - survey and identification to species level or as agreed.
STMI8	Written report of results with appropriate recommendations.
STMI9	Mitigation/enhancement/monitoring.

Note that some invertebrate surveys can be very time-consuming and expensive for relatively little useful information. It is important to agree the scope of relevant work, available options and cost effectiveness.

SOTH Other Species

SOTH

Many other species and taxa are covered by Betts Ecology (e.g. individual plant species, other animals, plant groups such as orchids, fungi, lichens, bryophytes - but see also Extended Phase 1 Survey above for general species lists). Please contact us to discuss details of requirements and appropriate protocol which will usually containing similar elements to those above.

Trees

ARB Trees in relation to construction

ARB1	Site assessment, obtain topographical survey with trees plotted and measured
ARB2	Survey to British Standard 5837 (current status, planning, design and construction stages, impact limitation, legislative compliance, ecological context, etc.)
ARB3	Report and recommendations
ARB4	Aftercare (retained trees, new planting, tree surgery, biodiversity enhancement) and monitoring.

Please do not hesitate to phone, email or fax us for an initial discussion without obligation. You can be sure of a professional and friendly reception.