bat surveys yorkshire
Reptiles

male and female slow wormThe ecologists at Oatlands Ecology are experienced reptile surveyors / handlers.
We can:
• Determine at an early stage whether a development is likely to have an impact on reptiles
• Carry out reptile surveys
• Design and execute mitigation to offset impacts to reptiles
• Prepare Method Statements to prevent impacts to reptiles

Ecology
There are 6 species of native British reptiles, 4 of which are widespread and commonly found on development sites across the UK. They are found on a variety of habitats including railway & road embankments, rough grassland, post-industrial sites and many larger brownfield sites with grass snakes commonly found near slow moving rivers, canals, ponds and wetlands.

The smooth snake and sand lizard are mainly restricted to the heaths of southern England, although sand lizards are also found in some areas of north west England and north Wales.

Legislation
All species of reptiles in the UK receive protection against killing and injuring under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.  They are listed as Species of Principal Importance under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006 and UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species. Local planning authorities therefore have a legal duty to consider impacts to reptiles as a result of any development prior to granting planning permission.

Smooth snake and sand lizard are both European Protected Species, although they are unlikely to be found on development sites in the North East.

See our Survey Calendar for optimal survey and mitigation times