Ecological survey calendar

Key

Surveys not possible – N

Limited survey period – L

Optimal survey period – O

Habitats/ Vegetation

Jan Feb Mar - L	Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep - O	Oct Nov Dec - L
Phase I (sub-optimal) No other detailed plant surveys Mosses and lichens only	Detailed habitat assessment surveys National Vegetation Classification Surveys for higher plants and ferns Mosses and lichens in April, May and September only	Phase I (sub-optimal) No other detailed plant surveys Mosses and lichens only

 

Badgers

Jan - L	Feb Mar Apr – O	May Jun Jul Aug – L	Sep Oct Nov - O	Dec - L
Limited sett/bait surveys	Limited Activity	Limited bait marking and sett surveys	Sett surveys	Limited sett/bait surveys

 

Bats

Jan Feb Mar – O	Apr – L	May Jun Jul Aug Sep – O	Oct – L	Nov Dec - O
Inspection of hibernation, tree and building roosts	Limited Activity	Summer roost emergence and activity surveys (Maternity roosts start to form in May, females give birth in June, Mating starts in September)	Limited Activity	Inspection of hibernation, tree and building roosts

 

Birds

Jan Feb – O	Mar Apr – O	May Jun - O	Jul Aug – L	Sep Oct - O	Nov Dec - O
Winter species	Breeding Migrant species	Breeding birds	Low activity	Migrant species	Winter species

 

Dormice

Jan Feb – L	Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug – O	Sep Oct Nov Dec - O
Gnawed hazelnut search (sub-optimal)	Nest tube / cage trap survey from April to November Nest searches (optimum time September to March)	Gnawed hazelnut search (optimum November to December)

 

Great Crested Newts

Jan Feb - N	Mar Apr May Jun – O	Jul Aug – L	Sep Oct – L	Nov Dec - N
Newts hibernating	Pond surveys for adults / Terrestrial surveys Newts hibernating / Egg surveys April to mid-June / Larvae surveys from mid-May	Terrestrial habitat and larvae surveys	Terrestrial habitat survey	Newts hibernating

 

Freshwater Pearl Mussel

Jan Feb Mar – N	Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct – O	Nov Dec – N
Surveys not possible	Optimal survey period	Surveys not possible

 

Fish

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - O
For coastal, river and stream dwelling species, the timing of the surveys will depend on the migration pattern of the species concerned. Where surveys require information on breeding, the timing of surveys will need to coincide with the breeding period, which may be summer or winter months, depending on the

 

Natterjack Toad

Jan Feb Mar – N	Apr May Jun Jul Aug – O	Sep Oct – O	Nov Dec – N
Hibernating	Surveys of breeding ponds for adults. Surveys for tadpoles from May onwards Surveys for adults on land.	Surveys for adults on land	Hibernating

 

Otters

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec – O
Limited by vegetation cover and weather conditions rather than seasons

 

Pine Martins

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec – O
Surveys may be conducted all year round weather permitting. Optimum time is spring and summer. Surveys for breeding dens from March to May

 

Red Squirrel

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec – O
Surveys may be conducted all year round weather permitting. Optimum time is spring and summer. Surveys for breeding females from December to September

 

Reptiles

Jan Feb - N	Mar Apr May Jun – O	Jul Aug - L	Sep - O	Oct – L	Nov Dec - N
Reptiles hibernating	Peak survey months are April and May	Reduced basking time reduces effectiveness of refugia survey	Peak survey month	Limited activity	Reptiles hibernating

 

Water Voles

Jan - N	Feb – L	Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct - O	Nov - L	Dec - N
Low activity	Initial habitat survey	Habitat and field signs / activity surveys May be limited by vegetation cover and weather	Initial habitat survey	Low activity

 

White-clawed Crayfish

Jan Feb Mar - N	Apr - O	May Jun - L	Jul Aug Sep Oct – O	Nov Dec - L
Reduced activity	Searching Torching Trapping	Breeding torchlight survey only (no handling due to females releasing their young)	Substrate search by hand Torchlight and trapping surveys	Reduced activity

 

Note: This survey calendar should be used as a reference guide only with advice being sought from a qualified ecologist as site and project specific circumstances may alter seasonal windows