Habitats that support protected species carry extra legislative weight and require temporal planning to minimise risk and ensure that project goals are met alongside legal obligations. Legislative obligations can be met by using a contractor, who understands timing requirements, is experienced in sensitive operations and has a proven track record.
Click on the species name for more information and hover over the 
to find out what work can be undertaken.
Great crested newts
Protection Status: European Protected Species
Habitat Suitability Index Assessment: All year, but optimal in spring
Presence/absence survey: Four visits between mid-March to mid-June (with at least half of visits between mid-April and mid-May)
Population monitoring: Additional two visits between mid-March and mid-June if great crested newts present on site
Pitfall trapping: March to October
Habitat Management
Installing exclusion fencing and pit traps
Translocation
Habitat clearance
Birds
Protection status: Varies between species
Nesting birds: March to September
Breeding birds: March to October
Wintering birds: November to February
Habitat clearance
Installation and maintenance of bird boxes
Bats
Protection Status: European Protected Species
Bat Habitat Suitability Assessment: All year, no restrictions
Bat emergence/swarming surveys: May to August (surveys can also be undertaken in September during suitable weather conditions)
Bat Activity Surveys: May to September
Hibernation Survey: November to March
Works affecting maternity roosts
Works affecting summer (non-maternity) roosts
Works affecting hibernation roosts
Works affecting mating/swarming roosts
Works affecting mixed-use roosts
Dormice
Protection Status: European Protected Species
Habitat suitability assessment: All year, no restrictions
Hazel nut search: Mid-September to December
Nest tube survey: April to November
Winter habitat clearance
Coppice management
Thinning conifer woodland
Capture and translocation
Destructive search and clearance of small areas of habitat
Reptiles
Protection status: Nationally protected
Habitat suitability assessment: All year, no restrictions
Presence/absence survey: March to October
Population monitoring: March to October
Translocation exercise: March to October
Installation of exclusion fencing
Translocation
Habitat clearance (non refugia)
Habitat clearance (including refugia) and destructive searches
Badgers
Protection Status: Nationally protected
Sett survey and habitat assessment: All year, no restrictions
Bait-marking territory survey: February to April
Badger licence works, including sett closure: July to November
Artificial sett creation
Badger sett exclusion and closure
Water Vole
Protection Status: Nationally protected
Habitat suitability assessment: All year
Presence/absence survey: April to October
Exclusion and fencing
Passive displacement (vegetation removal)
Relocation (trapping/translocation)
Habitat creation and management