Breeding bird surveys
(All)
Breeding bird surveys may be required when the habitat present within a development site is likely to support species specially protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act or listed as habitat favoured by priority species or which may otherwise be of value for birds.
A typical method used to survey birds on development sites is based on the Common Bird Census methodology. This method involves mapping the location and species of all birds on site using standard symbols. The site is visited on 5 to 10 occasions from the 15th March to 15th July with the location, species and behaviour of birds encountered recorded on a map of the area. This information can then be used to estimate the number of individual territories. The approximate numbers of bird species that do not hold territories can be estimated from the peak numbers recorded on each visit. Where specific species may be an issue, or the site is coastal or in the uplands, other survey techniques may be more appropriate.
Back to: Return to Species surveys
