Dormice, specifically the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), are protected in the UK under two main pieces of legislation:
Current laws make it illegal to:
If habitats that are suitable for hazel dormice are identified during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and stand to be affected by works, even if temporarily through disturbance, further survey work (often called ‘phase 2’ surveys) may be required to ascertain whether they are present, how they are using the site and their numbers. If dormice are found to be using the site, works will need to be conducted under an EPS mitigation licence.
Survey methods include:
Survey seasons
The survey season typically runs from May to October, with specific survey methods being more suitable during certain periods within this timeframe. Nest tube or nest box surveys are best carried out between May and September. They require multiple checks over the survey season, usually at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. Whereas nut searches are best conducted during the autumn months, from late August to October, when hazelnuts are most abundant.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. If avoidance is not possible then a European Protected Species Licence would be required from Natural England and a detailed strategy of mitigation and compensation implemented.
Vegetation clearance should be conducted during an appropriate time of year to encourage dormice to relocate naturally. Translocation should be considered a last resort, only when the project's scale doesn't allow for natural displacement, or there is no suitable adjacent habitat for dormice.
To enhance the habitat for hazel dormice and increase site biodiversity, we may also propose the enhancement or creation of habitats by planting native hedgerows, scrub, and trees for habitat connectivity; rejuvenating abandoned coppice and conducting woodland thinning to encourage understorey growth and fruit availability.
If works will affect significant habitats used by hazel dormice, a mitigation licence will be required from Natural England before works can proceed. A mitigation licence requires that there is no net loss of habitat on site and that the affected population can continue to use the site as before, hopefully with it being left in an improved condition for them.
Our experienced ecologists can help to design compensation and enhancement measures to obtain the necessary licences from Natural England.
The larger eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) is considered a serious pest on spruce and was first discovered in the UK in Kent, in 2018. If left uncontrolled, it poses a serious threat to Britain's forestry industry.
Following ongoing surveillance further findings of Ips typographus have since been confirmed, resulting in a demarcated area covering much of the south East of England. Within the demarcated area strict restrictions are in place that prevent the felling and movement of spruce wood, bark and branches without authorisation.
Work is now being carried out in an effort to eradicate this beetle by removing spruce from areas at risk of infestation.
We are currently undertaking the proactive removal of spruce from within the demarcated area for private and public landowners, before the trees become infected, or if the landowner has received a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN), which can adversely affect the value and restrict the timing of the operation.
Having well-established relationships with the Forestry Commission, as well as agreements in place with authorised processors, we are able offer a complete service that covers the felling, extraction and marketing of your spruce, ensuring that you receive the best commercial return possible.
We can also help with grant applications to reclaim some of the costs involved in felling and restocking your woodland.
After taking some details in regards to your woodland we will arrange a site visit to appraise the standing timber and site constraints and hazards. We will also notify the Forestry Commision and arrange a Plant Health inspection to determine the presence (or absence of) of the beetle.
We have arrangements in place with a number of authorised processors situated within the demarcated area, allowing us to offer your timber to multiple buyers and outlets.
We will submit a formal valuation offer based on the findings of the site visit, as well as the quantity and quality of timber.
If the offer is accepted then we will prepare the site for temporary or permanent access to allow for efficient harvesting.
We work with the aim of optimising the value of your timber, and will cut a range of products, subject to timber quality, size, volume and any SPHN requirements.
As part of our service, we will handle the dispatch of all harvested material to the authorised processors.
Following harvesting operations we will prepare the site and select suitable species to achieve a thriving healthy woodland that is suited to the landscape, soils and our changing climate.
Our team can assist you in creating, planning, and managing your woodland's future, leaving behind a woodland that is fit for purpose, and for the benefit of future generations.
Dormice, specifically the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), are protected in the UK under two main pieces of legislation:
Current laws make it illegal to:
If habitats that are suitable for hazel dormice are identified during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and stand to be affected by works, even if temporarily through disturbance, further survey work (often called ‘phase 2’ surveys) may be required to ascertain whether they are present, how they are using the site and their numbers. If dormice are found to be using the site, works will need to be conducted under an EPS mitigation licence.
Survey methods include:
Survey seasons
The survey season typically runs from May to October, with specific survey methods being more suitable during certain periods within this timeframe. Nest tube or nest box surveys are best carried out between May and September. They require multiple checks over the survey season, usually at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. Whereas nut searches are best conducted during the autumn months, from late August to October, when hazelnuts are most abundant.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. If avoidance is not possible then a European Protected Species Licence would be required from Natural England and a detailed strategy of mitigation and compensation implemented.
Vegetation clearance should be conducted during an appropriate time of year to encourage dormice to relocate naturally. Translocation should be considered a last resort, only when the project's scale doesn't allow for natural displacement, or there is no suitable adjacent habitat for dormice.
To enhance the habitat for hazel dormice and increase site biodiversity, we may also propose the enhancement or creation of habitats by planting native hedgerows, scrub, and trees for habitat connectivity; rejuvenating abandoned coppice and conducting woodland thinning to encourage understorey growth and fruit availability.
If works will affect significant habitats used by hazel dormice, a mitigation licence will be required from Natural England before works can proceed. A mitigation licence requires that there is no net loss of habitat on site and that the affected population can continue to use the site as before, hopefully with it being left in an improved condition for them.
Our experienced ecologists can help to design compensation and enhancement measures to obtain the necessary licences from Natural England.
Dormice, specifically the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), are protected in the UK under two main pieces of legislation:
Current laws make it illegal to:
If habitats that are suitable for hazel dormice are identified during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and stand to be affected by works, even if temporarily through disturbance, further survey work (often called ‘phase 2’ surveys) may be required to ascertain whether they are present, how they are using the site and their numbers. If dormice are found to be using the site, works will need to be conducted under an EPS mitigation licence.
Survey methods include:
Survey seasons
The survey season typically runs from May to October, with specific survey methods being more suitable during certain periods within this timeframe. Nest tube or nest box surveys are best carried out between May and September. They require multiple checks over the survey season, usually at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. Whereas nut searches are best conducted during the autumn months, from late August to October, when hazelnuts are most abundant.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. If avoidance is not possible then a European Protected Species Licence would be required from Natural England and a detailed strategy of mitigation and compensation implemented.
Vegetation clearance should be conducted during an appropriate time of year to encourage dormice to relocate naturally. Translocation should be considered a last resort, only when the project's scale doesn't allow for natural displacement, or there is no suitable adjacent habitat for dormice.
To enhance the habitat for hazel dormice and increase site biodiversity, we may also propose the enhancement or creation of habitats by planting native hedgerows, scrub, and trees for habitat connectivity; rejuvenating abandoned coppice and conducting woodland thinning to encourage understorey growth and fruit availability.
If works will affect significant habitats used by hazel dormice, a mitigation licence will be required from Natural England before works can proceed. A mitigation licence requires that there is no net loss of habitat on site and that the affected population can continue to use the site as before, hopefully with it being left in an improved condition for them.
Our experienced ecologists can help to design compensation and enhancement measures to obtain the necessary licences from Natural England.
As dormice primarily inhabit deciduous woodlands, hedgerows, and scrub habitats, the lineside estate can provide valuable habitat for them. They thrive in diverse and well-connected habitats, as they are arboreal and avoid travelling on the ground.
Dormice, specifically the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), are protected in the UK under two main pieces of legislation:
Current laws make it illegal to:
If habitats that are suitable for hazel dormice are identified during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and stand to be affected by works, even if temporarily through disturbance, further survey work (often called ‘phase 2’ surveys) may be required to ascertain whether they are present, how they are using the site and their numbers. If dormice are found to be using the site, works will need to be conducted under an EPS mitigation licence.
Survey methods include:
Survey seasons
The survey season typically runs from May to October, with specific survey methods being more suitable during certain periods within this timeframe. Nest tube or nest box surveys are best carried out between May and September. They require multiple checks over the survey season, usually at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. Whereas nut searches are best conducted during the autumn months, from late August to October, when hazelnuts are most abundant.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. If avoidance is not possible then a European Protected Species Licence would be required from Natural England and a detailed strategy of mitigation and compensation implemented.
Vegetation clearance should be conducted during an appropriate time of year to encourage dormice to relocate naturally. Translocation should be considered a last resort, only when the project's scale doesn't allow for natural displacement, or there is no suitable adjacent habitat for dormice.
To enhance the habitat for hazel dormice and increase site biodiversity, we may also propose the enhancement or creation of habitats by planting native hedgerows, scrub, and trees for habitat connectivity; rejuvenating abandoned coppice and conducting woodland thinning to encourage understorey growth and fruit availability.
If works will affect significant habitats used by hazel dormice, a mitigation licence will be required from Natural England before works can proceed. A mitigation licence requires that there is no net loss of habitat on site and that the affected population can continue to use the site as before, hopefully with it being left in an improved condition for them.
Our experienced ecologists can help to design compensation and enhancement measures to obtain the necessary licences from Natural England.
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