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