My primary focus is ecological consultancy. Basing most of my work in the UK and Europe, I’m involved with both governmental and non-governmental organisations, providing expertise to conserve biodiversity, through planning policy, protective wildlife legislation and practical, nature-based solutions.

Over the past 20 years, environmental laws and regulations in the UK and Europe have become increasingly more important. It’s my job to help clients navigate this legislation and through research and data collection, provide evidence on how land use change may impact on habitats, species and biodiversity, and how they can mitigate those impacts. My aim is to provide the best outcome for both people and biodiversity.

My services range from ecological fieldwork and data collection, to Ecological Impact Assessment and Ecological Clerk of Works. As a result, I work on a broad range of species and habitat types, but like many consultants, I also specialise in certain species groups and types of assessment. Here is a breakdown of some of my services and specialisms.

Specialisms

Bat conservation

Although I deal with a variety of species and ecological services every day, I specialise in bat ecology, behaviour, and conservation. At University, I homed in on bat conservation, basing both my undergraduate and Masters’ dissertations on how bats are affected by anthropogenic disturbance, particularly roads. Over the last 10 years, I have collaborated as a researcher and field ecologist with British universities and conservation organisations such as the University of Leeds and Natural England and I hold a Natural England Level 2 License to survey bats.

This focus on bat ecology has tied in well with my love of audio/visual technology, and as a result, I’m trained to use a variety of devices used to collect data about bats.

I use full spectrum bat detectors, which capture and record the ultrasonic calls of bats. I use this data to identify species and number, allowing me to assess population size, behaviour and habitat use.

I also use thermal and infrared camera technology during surveys. This allows me to accurately understand the number of bats or where bats roosts are precisely located, such as in a tree or building.

I also use drone technology to help with bat surveys, as well as other ecological surveys. I can use drones to accurately locate potential roosting sites, such as those high up on inaccessible or unsafe buildings.

As well as using drones for bat surveys, over the years I have used them more and more for the collection of ecological data, on a variety of different survey types. I initially started using drones as part of my videography work, but soon realised drones can be powerful tools for ecological surveys.  I have become Ecology UAV lead in my current role, a fully trained UAV operator and I am working to expand the use- case for this type of technology in ecology. 

Drone surveys range from georeferenced habitat mapping to the mapping of badger setts and territories.

Broad Services

Initial Ecological Surveys and Data Collection

A large proportion of my work begins with the collection of data. This can be either in the field or in searching existing records.

• Botanical identification and habitat classification following the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Phase 1 Habitat Survey and UK Habitat methodologies;
• Collection of biodiversity auditing and accounting data via habitat condition assessment, following the Biodiversity Metric 3.1;
• Protected species surveys such as bats, birds, badgers, otters, water vole, reptiles, amphibians and insects;
• Non-native invasive species surveys;
• Species, habitat and designated site data searches and collation.

Ecological Impact Assessment

Data I collect forms the ecological background for wider Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), used to inform the impacts of schemes and land use change. A large part of my job includes the analysis and collation of this ecological data, to form conclusions and recommendations.

• Baseline reporting including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and protected species reports;
• Mitigation licencing applications (particularly pertaining to bats);
• Avoidance, mitigation and compensation strategy designed to reduce or prevent any negative effects of land use change on Biodiversity.

Practical Conservation

As well as understanding a baseline of what species, habitats and biodiversity may be found on a site, my work often leads to the practical implementation of my recommendations.

• Ecological Clerk of Works, where I take responsibility for ensuring all works on a site, are undertaken in a safe, responsible and legal way. This ensures biodiversity is protected during and after construction works, and in accordance with any mitigation strategy or licences. This could include the demolition of a structure containing a known bat roost or the removal of a tree during the nesting bird season.
• Post-development species population monitoring and habitat monitoring, ensuring mitigation strategies are effective.

Business Management

As part of my current role, I’m in charge of a team of ecologists, project management, survey coordination, as well dealing with the financial aspects such as bid-winning and client relations, health and safety of myself and my team and research and development aspects of the business.

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