All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is an offence to:
Penalties can be imposed for criminal offences in respect of a single bird, nest, or egg under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended).
Some birds receive additional legal protection. These are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended). With these species, in addition to the protections afforded above.
It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
During Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEAs), our ecologists identify any potential nesting habitats on a site and combining this with a desktop study, are then able to determine the likelihood of nesting or foraging birds being affected by the works. Should potential for uncommon birds to be using the site be identified, a Phase 2 survey may be required to verify usage during the appropriate survey season.
Survey seasons
Bird nesting season is usually considered to be between March-August, but this can be weather dependent and some birds can nest outside of this season. We therefore always carry out bird nesting checks ahead of any works, regardless of the season. These are carried out ideally on the day of any works between dawn and 08:00, but up to 1 week prior to works starting. If works are safety critical, checks are carried out immediately before works start.
If a site has been identified in a PEA to have potential for overwintering birds, surveys for species using the site for this purpose can be carried out between October-February.
If any Schedule 1 birds have been identified using a site, further survey work may be required.
The aim of carrying out a bird assessment on a site is to inform our clients of the best ways to avoid impacts to birds using the site. Once survey work is complete, we are able to interpret results and provide a detailed report on likely impacts and how to avoid, mitigate and compensate for these.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. Avoidance measures are usually sufficient for preventing impacts to birds, and could include:
If avoidance is not possible (for example, if a building containing nests has to be removed/replaced), works can proceed if mitigation and compensation measures are in place. This is important if less common birds are using a site, such as barn owls, swallows or turtle doves. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
Our ecologists can advise on enhancements which could be incorporated into sites to benefit birds that may be using it. Such enhancements could include planting of hedgerows or scrub to extend nesting areas or provide protection to existing nesting sites or feeding areas.
In the event that a Schedule 1 bird (e.g. barn owl) is found to be using the site, a mitigation licence may be required to work on any structures they are using. Our ecologists can determine whether this would be required and can help you to obtain the required licences.
The larger eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) is considered a serious pest on spruce and was first discovered in the UK in Kent, in 2018. If left uncontrolled, it poses a serious threat to Britain's forestry industry.
Following ongoing surveillance further findings of Ips typographus have since been confirmed, resulting in a demarcated area covering much of the south East of England. Within the demarcated area strict restrictions are in place that prevent the felling and movement of spruce wood, bark and branches without authorisation.
Work is now being carried out in an effort to eradicate this beetle by removing spruce from areas at risk of infestation.
We are currently undertaking the proactive removal of spruce from within the demarcated area for private and public landowners, before the trees become infected, or if the landowner has received a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN), which can adversely affect the value and restrict the timing of the operation.
Having well-established relationships with the Forestry Commission, as well as agreements in place with authorised processors, we are able offer a complete service that covers the felling, extraction and marketing of your spruce, ensuring that you receive the best commercial return possible.
We can also help with grant applications to reclaim some of the costs involved in felling and restocking your woodland.
After taking some details in regards to your woodland we will arrange a site visit to appraise the standing timber and site constraints and hazards. We will also notify the Forestry Commision and arrange a Plant Health inspection to determine the presence (or absence of) of the beetle.
We have arrangements in place with a number of authorised processors situated within the demarcated area, allowing us to offer your timber to multiple buyers and outlets.
We will submit a formal valuation offer based on the findings of the site visit, as well as the quantity and quality of timber.
If the offer is accepted then we will prepare the site for temporary or permanent access to allow for efficient harvesting.
We work with the aim of optimising the value of your timber, and will cut a range of products, subject to timber quality, size, volume and any SPHN requirements.
As part of our service, we will handle the dispatch of all harvested material to the authorised processors.
Following harvesting operations we will prepare the site and select suitable species to achieve a thriving healthy woodland that is suited to the landscape, soils and our changing climate.
Our team can assist you in creating, planning, and managing your woodland's future, leaving behind a woodland that is fit for purpose, and for the benefit of future generations.
All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is an offence to:
Penalties can be imposed for criminal offences in respect of a single bird, nest, or egg under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended).
Some birds receive additional legal protection. These are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended). With these species, in addition to the protections afforded above.
It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
During Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEAs), our ecologists identify any potential nesting habitats on a site and combining this with a desktop study, are then able to determine the likelihood of nesting or foraging birds being affected by the works. Should potential for uncommon birds to be using the site be identified, a Phase 2 survey may be required to verify usage during the appropriate survey season.
Survey seasons
Bird nesting season is usually considered to be between March-August, but this can be weather dependent and some birds can nest outside of this season. We therefore always carry out bird nesting checks ahead of any works, regardless of the season. These are carried out ideally on the day of any works between dawn and 08:00, but up to 1 week prior to works starting. If works are safety critical, checks are carried out immediately before works start.
If a site has been identified in a PEA to have potential for overwintering birds, surveys for species using the site for this purpose can be carried out between October-February.
If any Schedule 1 birds have been identified using a site, further survey work may be required.
The aim of carrying out a bird assessment on a site is to inform our clients of the best ways to avoid impacts to birds using the site. Once survey work is complete, we are able to interpret results and provide a detailed report on likely impacts and how to avoid, mitigate and compensate for these.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. Avoidance measures are usually sufficient for preventing impacts to birds, and could include:
If avoidance is not possible (for example, if a building containing nests has to be removed/replaced), works can proceed if mitigation and compensation measures are in place. This is important if less common birds are using a site, such as barn owls, swallows or turtle doves. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
Our ecologists can advise on enhancements which could be incorporated into sites to benefit birds that may be using it. Such enhancements could include planting of hedgerows or scrub to extend nesting areas or provide protection to existing nesting sites or feeding areas.
In the event that a Schedule 1 bird (e.g. barn owl) is found to be using the site, a mitigation licence may be required to work on any structures they are using. Our ecologists can determine whether this would be required and can help you to obtain the required licences.
All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is an offence to:
Penalties can be imposed for criminal offences in respect of a single bird, nest, or egg under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended).
Some birds receive additional legal protection. These are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended). With these species, in addition to the protections afforded above.
It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
During Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEAs), our ecologists identify any potential nesting habitats on a site and combining this with a desktop study, are then able to determine the likelihood of nesting or foraging birds being affected by the works. Should potential for uncommon birds to be using the site be identified, a Phase 2 survey may be required to verify usage during the appropriate survey season.
Survey seasons
Bird nesting season is usually considered to be between March-August, but this can be weather dependent and some birds can nest outside of this season. We therefore always carry out bird nesting checks ahead of any works, regardless of the season. These are carried out ideally on the day of any works between dawn and 08:00, but up to 1 week prior to works starting. If works are safety critical, checks are carried out immediately before works start.
If a site has been identified in a PEA to have potential for overwintering birds, surveys for species using the site for this purpose can be carried out between October-February.
If any Schedule 1 birds have been identified using a site, further survey work may be required.
The aim of carrying out a bird assessment on a site is to inform our clients of the best ways to avoid impacts to birds using the site. Once survey work is complete, we are able to interpret results and provide a detailed report on likely impacts and how to avoid, mitigate and compensate for these.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. Avoidance measures are usually sufficient for preventing impacts to birds, and could include:
If avoidance is not possible (for example, if a building containing nests has to be removed/replaced), works can proceed if mitigation and compensation measures are in place. This is important if less common birds are using a site, such as barn owls, swallows or turtle doves. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
Our ecologists can advise on enhancements which could be incorporated into sites to benefit birds that may be using it. Such enhancements could include planting of hedgerows or scrub to extend nesting areas or provide protection to existing nesting sites or feeding areas.
In the event that a Schedule 1 bird (e.g. barn owl) is found to be using the site, a mitigation licence may be required to work on any structures they are using. Our ecologists can determine whether this would be required and can help you to obtain the required licences.
The lineside estate provides a range of habitats and structures that can be used by birds for nesting and feeding, including grasslands, scrub and woodland, and lineside buildings. It is a relatively undisturbed environment, making it suitable for a number of our bird species.
All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is an offence to:
Penalties can be imposed for criminal offences in respect of a single bird, nest, or egg under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended).
Some birds receive additional legal protection. These are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended). With these species, in addition to the protections afforded above.
It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
During Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEAs), our ecologists identify any potential nesting habitats on a site and combining this with a desktop study, are then able to determine the likelihood of nesting or foraging birds being affected by the works. Should potential for uncommon birds to be using the site be identified, a Phase 2 survey may be required to verify usage during the appropriate survey season.
Survey seasons
Bird nesting season is usually considered to be between March-August, but this can be weather dependent and some birds can nest outside of this season. We therefore always carry out bird nesting checks ahead of any works, regardless of the season. These are carried out ideally on the day of any works between dawn and 08:00, but up to 1 week prior to works starting. If works are safety critical, checks are carried out immediately before works start.
If a site has been identified in a PEA to have potential for overwintering birds, surveys for species using the site for this purpose can be carried out between October-February.
If any Schedule 1 birds have been identified using a site, further survey work may be required.
The aim of carrying out a bird assessment on a site is to inform our clients of the best ways to avoid impacts to birds using the site. Once survey work is complete, we are able to interpret results and provide a detailed report on likely impacts and how to avoid, mitigate and compensate for these.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. Avoidance measures are usually sufficient for preventing impacts to birds, and could include:
If avoidance is not possible (for example, if a building containing nests has to be removed/replaced), works can proceed if mitigation and compensation measures are in place. This is important if less common birds are using a site, such as barn owls, swallows or turtle doves. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
Our ecologists can advise on enhancements which could be incorporated into sites to benefit birds that may be using it. Such enhancements could include planting of hedgerows or scrub to extend nesting areas or provide protection to existing nesting sites or feeding areas.
In the event that a Schedule 1 bird (e.g. barn owl) is found to be using the site, a mitigation licence may be required to work on any structures they are using. Our ecologists can determine whether this would be required and can help you to obtain the required licences.
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