Blog

The most recent JNCC Biodiversity Indicators report provides an update on long and short term trends across key biodiversity indicators and is based on an easy to interpret ‘traffic light’ system. 

There have been reports of bats and reptiles already active this year as well as amphibians heading towards breeding ponds and even frog-spawn present in ponds around the country. This blog explores the implications of this and lists some of the most frequently encountered early risers! 

Last reviewed in 2009, the fourth update of the status has been completed, showing a large movement of species, unfortunately many in the wrong direction. 

The Third Edition of the Bat Conservation Trust Good Practice Guidelines (sponsored by Ecosulis) have just been released. Here is an overview of what you need to know, and how it may affect your upcoming projects.

...The Dutch Dragon Chipper had arrived! It was huge! At around 20m long and weighing 40t fully laden it is a very impressive piece of kit – the chipper alone is powered by a 550hp engine...

Dr Alan Feest is Scientific Advisor to Ecosulis and a world renowned expert in biodiversity valuation. Here's a summary of his achievements in 2015. 

Natural England have provided some tips as to how to improve your chances of securing a European Protected Species licence first time, including those relating to bats and newts... 

Natural England and Woking Borough Council have launched a pilot scheme to explore whether a new system can be implemented to save developers cost and money whilst providing more comprehensive mitigation and compensation for great crested newts. 

Ecological Impact Assessment guidance has been updated with emerging changes in approaches to valuing nature as well as mitigation. The main changes that are found within the new guidance consist of the inclusion of ecosystem services and natural capital as important ecological features to be considered and the inclusion of Biodiversity off-setting as a ‘last resort’ compensation measure.

Habitat creation methods ranging from ditch restoration, using large woody debris and reintroduction of beaver can all help alleviate the effects of flooding - here are 5 key facts to demonstrate this. 

A study on the economic and ecological importance of bats to farmers, found the loss of bat species in North America could lead to agricultural losses in the region of US $3.7bn each year. Bats are known to provide a ‘pest control’ service worth £649m per year globally on corn crops alone. In this enlightening blog, Annie Hatt argues that bats should be seen as pest controllers rather than pests. 

This is a review of the current distribution of grey long eared bats in the UK.