Ecological consultants

If you are to undertake surveys of protected species you may wish to contact Scottish Natural Heritage staff before you start work.  Remember that you may need a licence from us to undertake certain surveys.  If you are unsure, please check with our licensing team.

Survey for protected species should follow best practice.  The information in a report should be sufficient to allow decisions to be taken by the relevant regulatory body - for example Forestry Commission Scotland in relation to felling licences; Local Planning Authority in relation to planning permissions.  The report should also contain appropriate information for a licence application to Scottish Government if one is necessary.  Where your proposals are likely to impact on a protected species, assess these impacts and design appropriate mitigation.  Ensure that your species protection plan includes measures to minimise harm or damage and that you explain compensation measures which will be undertaken if the damage etc. is unavoidable.

Lots of information on conducting appropriate surveys and designing mitigation for protected species can be on these web pages.  Other information sources include species-specific organisations (for example Bat Conservation Trust  , RSPB  etc).  The Institute for Ecological and Environmental Managers  is another source.