Ecology Survey Calendar

The Thomson ecology survey calendar will help you in planning surveys at the right times throughout the year. Planning carefully is important due to considerations of breeding periods, seasonal constraints, and the prevention of harm to wildlife.

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We understand that early planning is important for development projects, particularly when it comes to ecology, habitat restoration, creation, and management. Ecological restrictions, legal requirements, and seasonal factors make careful planning essential to keep projects on schedule and within budget.

How can protected species have an impact on your project plans?

Protected species surveys and habitat management are best undertaken at certain times of the year. These times vary according to the species concerned, the habitats they live in, the type of survey required, and the animal’s seasonal behaviour or life-cycle stage.

 Many protected habitats and species need a licence from the statutory agency (e.g. Natural England) for ecological mitigation. Make sure you understand and meet your legal requirements before beginning any site work that might impact protected species or habitats.

Enjoy straightforward ecological planning with our ecology survey calendar

To make your project planning easier, we’ve put together a combined ecology survey calendar, delivering you a more practical overview of the seasons.

You’ll find the planner contains straightforward, pragmatic details to aid you with navigating ecology and mitigation restrictions, with clear information on the seasonal windows for each activity relating to each species.

Our guide to ecological survey planning

Planning ecological surveys at the right time of year is key to keeping projects on track. Each season offers different opportunities for surveys, mitigation, and habitat management work. This guide, based on Thomson Environmental Consultants’ Ecology Survey Calendar, outlines when to plan ecological activity throughout the year.

January to March

The start of the year is generally quiet for most species. While many animals are hibernating or in periods of lower activity, there are still useful surveys and habitat tasks that can be carried out before spring. It is also the end of the wintering bird surveys season, which are usually carried out between November and February.

Surveys to plan

• Habitat and vegetation assessments.
• January – February: Inspection of hibernation roosts for roosting bats.
• Badger sett checks and activity surveys.
• Otter surveys, which can take place year-round.
• Wintering bird surveys can take place until the end of February.
• March: optimal time for aquatic invertebrate surveys.

Mitigation work

• January to February: Vegetation clearance and hedge maintenance.
• Pond management for great crested newts. 
• Habitat management, such as scrub removal and tree planting.
• Licensed works for bats’ maternity roosts, whilst bats hibernate.

April to June – Main survey window

Spring is the busiest time for ecology work. Warmer weather brings increased activity across most species, allowing surveys to produce reliable results. It is also the key period for many licence-based surveys. April is also a perfect time for white-clawed crayfish trapping and sampling.

Surveys to plan

• Detailed botanical surveys.
• Optimal time for great crested newt surveys on land and in ponds. 
• Reptile surveys and translocations.
• From May: Optimal time for summer bat roost emergence and activity surveys.
• Breeding bird surveys.
• April: White-clawed crayfish trapping and invertebrate sampling can take place in April. Because crayfish breed during May and June, trapping surveys cannot be carried out in these months.
• Hazel dormouse nest tube checks.
• Water vole and badger activity surveys.

Mitigation work

• Habitat creation and management for reptiles and amphibians.
• Vegetation clearance outside of bird nesting areas.
• Licensed exclusion or translocation works for bats and newts.
• Early Spring is ideal for the installation of bat and bird boxes.

July to September

Late summer remains active for several species and is often the best time to start habitat work once breeding seasons have ended. 

Surveys to plan

• Detailed botanical surveys.
• July – August: Optimal time for summer bat roost emergence and activity surveys. 
• Migratory and non-breeding bird surveys can start
• Hazel dormouse nest tube checks.
• Optimal time for white-clawed crayfish surveys.
• Optimal time for licensed newt trapping on land.
• Late-season water vole surveys.

Mitigation work

• Translocation of reptiles and amphibians under licence.
• Habitat management and clearance.
• Vegetation clearance and site preparation for autumn works.

October to December

As the weather cools, activity levels drop, and many surveys conclude. This time of year is well-suited to habitat management and licensed mitigation. Carrying out practical habitat work now helps prepare sites for the spring and keeps projects moving through the winter. It is also the optimal period for wintering bird surveys, which commence in November.

Surveys to plan

• Internal bat hibernation roost inspections.
• Badger sett monitoring.
• From November: Wintering bird surveys.
• Otter surveys, which can take place year-round.
• Desk-based ecological assessments.

Visit our wintering bird surveys page here.

Mitigation work

• Tree and shrub planting
• From November: Vegetation clearance and hedge maintenance.
• October: Optimal time for pond maintenance and restoration.
• General site maintenance and preparation for spring.

Find out more about our habitat services here.

Which surveys and mitigation work can be done without seasonal restrictions?

Some work can be carried out without any seasonal constraints, such as:

• Otter surveys.
• Otter mitigation work, though this may be limited when otters are breeding.
• Bat preliminary roost inspections on buildings and ground-level tree assessments
• Habitat suitability index (HSI) surveys for great crested newts.
• Installation of bee biomes, insect hotels, hibernacula, and log piles.

Visit our ecology surveys page to find out how we can help.

How can I obtain a downloadable ecology survey calendar?

Download a PDF of the species survey and mitigation planner. The PDF can be saved to a desktop computer, but it is also in a printable format.

Get in touch with Thomson today for assistance

Understanding the seasonal timing of surveys and mitigation enables effective project planning. Being proactive and contacting ecologists for quotations before busier periods throughout the spring and summer helps secure necessary resources. 

Reach out to our friendly team today for expert guidance and support.

Related resources

An essential guide to BNG

When can I do my ecology survey?

Avoiding harm to protected species over the winter

Thomson ecology surveys services