Spring Has Sprung – And Ecologists Are in Demand
As the seasons shift and spring gets into full swing, we’re officially into survey season – the busiest time of year for ecologists working across the UK.
We’ve heard from several clients recently that they’re struggling to get responses from ecology consultancies, or finding that their go-to contacts are fully booked for months ahead. It’s not surprising. This time of year sees a sharp increase in demand, as warmer weather and longer days signal the start of key survey windows for a wide range of protected species and habitats.
To give a sense of what ecologists are juggling right now:
• Bat surveys can run from May through to September.
• Amphibian surveys started mid-March and continue through June.
• Birds are surveyed primarily early in the season, up to August.
• Dormouse surveys run from April to October.
• Reptiles depend on suitable weather, anytime from now until autumn.
• Flora surveys vary, with grasslands at their best May–August and woodlands coming into their optimum season soon.
The good news? If you’re currently on the lookout for ecological support – especially for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) projects – we’ve created a helpful resource.
Our new Ecologists for BNG Directory connects developers and landowners with ecology consultancies that are actively working in BNG and may have availability. It’s a great starting point if you’re finding the market a little tricky to navigate right now.