All wild bird species in the UK are protected from killing, injury and taking under UK legislation. This also makes it an offence to take, damage or destroy a nest while in use or being built, and to take or destroy the eggs of any nesting bird. Certain species e.g. Barn Owl, Kingfisher, Red Kite are afforded a higher level of protection which makes it illegal to intentionally or recklessly disturb these species whilst they are building a nest or are in or near a nest containing young and to disturb dependent young.

At Keystone we employ bird specialists to advise our clients on the complexities of the law and the resulting constraints for any given scheme. Non-compliance with the law can lead to prosecution and a jail sentence of up to 2 years and/or a fine of up to £5000.

Survey and Assessment

Survey methodologies vary greatly and are sometimes site and species specific. In some instances surveyors must be licensed to carry out certain aspects of fieldwork e.g. surveys that could disturb nesting Barn Owls. Our surveyors hold such licenses and work to or adapt accepted survey methodologies. We undertake surveys for a wide variety of development, conservation and research schemes.

Our surveyors have extensive experience with the following surveys:

• Breeding bird surveys using Common Bird Census and Breeding Bird Census techniques
• Species specific surveys e.g. for Barn Owl, Black Redstart, Dartford Warbler
• Wintering and non-breeding bird surveys including Wetland Bird Survey techniques
• Seabird surveys for offshore wind farm schemes
• Bird surveys for onshore wind farm schemes
• Monitoring bird populations at designated sites e.g. SSSI's, SPA's, National Parks
• Obtaining bird survey data for 'Appropriate Assessments' where a scheme will have a likely impact on a SSSI or SPA

Licence Applications

A licence is not required where development activities may result in the disturbance and/or loss of bird species. However, impacts to birds and mitigation strategies are approved by the relevant local planning authority and statutory consultees if the scheme is the subject of a planning application. In these circumstances we act as an intermediary between our clients, the LPA and statutory consultees to achieve an outcome that is favourable to all parties concerned.

Impact Assessment

Impact assessment is required at various scales and is fundamental to the design of a successful mitigation strategy. We have undertaken impact assessments for birds that range from concise reports for small scale planning applications to the ecology section of an ES for large scale projects.

Additionally we are well versed in the collation, analysis and presentation of information for 'Appropriate Assessments' where schemes are likely to have an impact upon a designated site e.g. SSSI or SPA.

Mitigation

Mitigation for impacts to birds is highly species and site specific.

Our expertise covers:

• Advice on proposed works to avoid impacts
• Advise on the timing of works that may affect birds
• Production of phasing plans for activities that will impact upon birds
• Design and creation of compensatory habitats
• Restoration and enhancement of existing habitats to be retained within a scheme
• Advice on appropriate landscape planting
• Tool box talks and contractor briefings
• Supervision of works such as tree and scrub removal
• Management and monitoring plans