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Bird scoping survey
An initial bird scoping survey is generally carried out as part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. A desk top study is carried out to identify any significant bird records close to site, with a field survey undertaken to record incidental bird observations and assess onsite and adjacent habitats for their suitability to support breeding and nesting, over-wintering and migrating bird species.
Special emphasis is placed on the suitability of a site for use by Schedule 1 and UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) bird species and also Species of Conservation Concern.
This scoping survey can be carried out at any time of year, however further surveys may be required to obtain a detailed list of bird species and assemblages in key habitat areas or where significant impacts from a proposed development or an activity are anticipated.
Breeding and winter bird surveys
A breeding bird survey usually follows standard survey methodologies based on the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) methods such as the Common Birds Census (CBC) or the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). The survey identifies the species of birds present and maps the location of key activity and the likely breeding status of each bird species on a site.
A winter bird survey is most commonly carried out on wetlands, coasts and farmland. The survey aims to identify whether a site offers key foraging and/or roosting (resting) habitat for over-wintering and migratory birds.
Specialised bird surveys and pre-works surveys
Species-specific bird surveys are usually carried out when the habitat or the geographic location of a site may indicate the presence of a particularly rare bird or bird assemblages, e.g. skylark, black redstart, kingfisher or birds associated with heathland habitats.
Other specialist surveys may be necessary for particular large-scale projects such as wind farms, where Vantage Point surveys are needed to map bird activity within 'collision risk zones’ e.g. barn owls or raptors in general.
When development or an activity is carried out during the nesting bird season a pre-works nesting bird survey may be required to establish whether any active nests are present in the area of works. Works may need to be modified or temporarily suspended within proximity to an active nest to allow chicks to fledge safely from the nest.
Timing of surveys
- Breeding bird surveys are generally carried out between March and June and consist of four survey visits;
- Winter bird surveys are generally carried out between October and March with at least three survey visits. Key months are December, January and February;
- Specialised bird surveys will depend upon the species in question and can require a number of repeated visits sometimes over the course of an entire year;
- Nesting bird survey – these would be completed up to five days prior to works in the nesting bird season (March – September).
Mitigation
Works that may affect nesting birds, such as vegetation clearance, including tree, hedgerow and shrub removal, or any operation that may harm nesting birds, their active nests or dependent young, should avoid the nesting bird season (generally regarded as between March and September). Alternatively, a nesting bird survey can be undertaken by a suitably experienced ecologist to ensure there are no active nests present within the area of works.
For sites that are recognised as important for birds, the timing of certain development work or activity may be restricted during breeding and/or over-wintering seasons.
A project can be designed so that a variety of habitats can be retained, created or enhanced on a site to suit the species of birds at risk. For example, planting native trees or hedgerows to provide connectivity around or through a site, providing green roofs to replace habitat lost to buildings, erecting artificial nest boxes to encourage nesting, and implementing simple habitat management techniques that encourage more insects and berry producing plants that birds can feed on.
Legislation
All wild birds are protected primarily through the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended). This makes it an offence to:-
- Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird;
- take, damage or destroy a nest (whilst in use or under construction);
- take, damage or destroy its eggs; or
- possess wild birds (dead or alive) or their eggs.
Further restrictions are placed on any Schedule 1 species, such as peregrine falcons and barn owls, whereby ‘the intentional or reckless disturbance whilst nest building, at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturbing dependent juveniles’ is an offence and carries more serious penalties'.
Sites of importance for breeding or over-wintering birds are largely protected from damage by development through their inclusion within designated sites, such as:-
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI);
- Special Protection Areas (SPA);
- National Nature Reserves (NNR);
- Local Nature Reserves (LNR); and
- County Wildlife Sites (CWS).
Every site is unique so please contact a Torc Ecology consultant who will advise on the best survey approach in relation to the project requirements.
Note
The above information is based on standard guidelines and current UK legislation. Every site is unique so please contact a Torc Ecology consultant who will advise on the best survey approach in relation to the project requirements.
Facts about birds!
The British Isles has a wide variety of habitats for breeding and over-wintering birds and as such the UK has a rich and diverse bird assemblage with over 600 species recorded. From resident birds that live in the UK all year round, to summer and winter migratory visitors, species that occur on passage and vagrant species that get blown onto our shores. Not surprisingly there are a number of internationally and nationally protected sites throughout the UK as well as recognition of certain species that require additional protection or conservation effort.
Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation has a significant impact upon our bird life, affecting their ability to disperse, breed, feed and socialise.
