Bird surveys
Protecting nesting birds and their nests
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) protects all nesting birds and their nests while being occupied or built. This applies to all common or rare bird species. Some species are listed under Schedule 1, Part I of the Act giving them additional protection from disturbance while breeding. These include species like barn owls, kingfishers and little-ringed plovers.
To avoid any disturbance, sites may require a buffer zone between work and the nest.
In most cases, this means avoiding site clearance work during the breeding bird season (March to August, inclusive) or having an ecologist undertake a pre-clearance check for active nests. For potentially higher impact projects, such as wind farms, more complex surveys can be required, including
- vantage point surveys (VPS)
- breeding bird transects
- wintering bird surveys.
Our bird survey expertise
ADAS ornithologists can undertake various other surveys, including point counts, surveys using common bird census (CBC) methodology, Wetland Bird Surveys (WeBS) and Brown and Shepherd methodology surveys for upland birds.
We have experienced ornithologists located nationwide ready to help with your project. Our robust and pragmatic solutions for developments meet the Wildlife and Countryside Act, the EIA Directive, the Habitats Directive and local and national planning policy requirements.