About Macmillan Ecology

An assessment of the habitats present on site using UK HAB classification, to establish a baseline. The site will be assessed for its suitability for protected species and further surveys may be recommended within the report. UAV mapping included as standard. 

Surveys can be undertaken at all times of year but condition assessments to inform BNG assessments need to be undertaken between April and October.

An assessment of building and trees present at site to determine the suitability for roosting bats. Three categories are used to determine suitability for bats. 

• Negligible - No suitability for roosting bats, no further surveys recommended 
• Low - on buildings one survey recommended, on trees, suitably qualified bat ecologist present during felling
• Moderate -  two surveys recommended
• High - three surveys recommended 

PRAs can be undertaken at all times of year to determine suitability.

If a development contains a watercourse or is within 10m of a watercourse and BNG is required a River Condition Assessment is required to establish the baseline condition of the watercourse which will inform the BNG Assessment

A BNG assessment will be undertaken using the results from the PEA to determine a baseline score using the statutory biodiversity metric, landscaping proposals must be provided by the client in order to undertake the assessment. 

A condition of the BNG assessment, this document is used to manage the new habitats created as a result of the BNG assessment 

Up to three surveys dependant on suitability, cost will vary depending on the number of surveyors required. Survey season is between May and mid August.

A minimum of three night time walkover surveys should be carried out for sites of Low Suitability for foraging and commuting bat, comprising of a mix of dusk and dawn surveys. Sites of higher suitability for bats would require up to two survey visits per month between April and October.

Eight visits by a suitably qualified ecologist to determine presence/likely absence at the site. suitable refugia for reptiles are placed within suitable habitat for the site. Surveys are undertaken between April and October.

Quick analysis of waterbodies to determine presence/likely absence of GCN eDNA of waterbodies within 500m of a proposed development. (eDNA survey season is between mid April and the end of June). If a positive result is returned then traditional GCN surveys will be recommended to estimate population size, 

Initial 4 surveys bottle trap surveys to determine presence/likely absence, if GCN are discovered then two additional surveys are required to determine population size, which will incur an additional cost. (GCN season is between March and June).

Two surveys undertaken between April and September. Where suitable surveys are undertaken via kayak to determine presence/ likely absence. 

50 dormouse boxes will be distributed within suitable habitat at the site to determine presence/likely absence of dormouse within the site. The season is between April and November and boxes will be checked monthly.

If a suitable burrows are identified within the PEA then further investigation to determine whether the holes are being used by badger are recommended. Trail cameras will be used for 21 days to determine whether badgers are present. Cameras are checked weekly.