Bird Surveys

Ecology

Birds are widespread and occupy a range of habitats both in urban and rural areas. As a result of this birds are often found nesting on potential development sites. It is recommended that an experienced ecologist is contacted during the early stages of planning a development in order to prevent a delay in proceedings.

Survey Methods

There are a variety of survey techniques that can be used to survey birds. The type of survey that is used depends on what information you require. Common methods include:

• Line transects – travelling a predetermined route and recording birds either side of the transect line

• Visual inspection of a building/structure to establish previous or present bird nesting activity

• Listening for bird calls/songs

Protection & Legislation

All wild birds (including resident, visiting and introduced species) in the UK are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside (WCA) Act 1981 (as amended) making it illegal to:

• Kill, injure or take any wild bird;

• take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is being built or in use;

• take or destroy the eggs of any wild bird;

• possess or control any wild bird or egg unless obtained legally.

Bird species listed in Schedule 1 of the WCA receive special protection. This means that in addition to the offences above, it is also illegal to intentionally or recklessly disturb any bird listed on schedule 1 while nesting or to disturb any of its dependant young.

Birds are also protected against cruelty under the Protection of Animals Act 1911.

In order to avoid legal prosecution any works on a structure or feature that is being used by a nesting bird should be undertaken outside the breeding bird season or when the young have fully fledged the nest.

If you find a wild bird that is injured it is legal to capture it or for it to be humanly killed.

Licensing & Mitigation

There is no requirement to obtain a development licence for works that have an impact on birds, except for those species listed on Schedule 1. But in order to avoid prosecution adequate surveys and mitigation plans must be carried out by an experienced ecologist prior to any works commence that will impact birds.

Mitigation measures may include some of the following:

• Re-scheduling of works to avoid the breeding season

• Creating an exclusion area around nesting birds to avoid disturbance

• Habitat creation to provide nesting and feeding habitat

• Provision of nest boxes

• Design of building to enhance suitability for nesting birds e.g ledges and access slots for nesting

Under certain circumstances which are described below it may be possible to obtain a licence to disturb a Schedule 1 bird:

• science, education or conservation

• photography

• preventing the spread of disease

• preserving public health or public safety

Contact Abricon for free initial advice on bird surveys