Reptile Surveys
Why are reptile surveys required?
There are six native reptile species in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ UK and Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y are all fully protected under Schedule 5 of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000). If reptiles are likely to be impacted by a development, a reptile survey will be required.
What happens during a reptile survey?
There are six native reptile species in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ UK and Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y are all fully protected under Schedule 5 of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended by Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
Adder
Common lizard
Grass snake
Slow worm
Smooth snake
Sand lizard
The smooth snake and sand lizard are also fully protected under Schedule 2 of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, making Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m both European Protected Species.
We conduct presence/likely absence surveys and population estimates using ‘artificial refuges� such as corrugated metal sheets or felt roof mats that absorb heat and attract reptiles to hide underneath or bask on top.
Services are also provided for writing site-specific mitigation statements for development, erecting reptile barrier fencing and translocating reptiles.
When can reptile surveys take place?
Habitat suitability assessments can take place throughout Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ year but presence/absence and population surveys can only be done from mid-March through to mid-October with Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ optimum months being April to June and September.
Explore our oÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r services
Explore our oÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r services, including protected species surveys, biodiversity net gain assessments and more.