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It is nearly the middle of May already and like all good ecologists, much of my time is spent out 'in the field' undertaking surveys of sites for projects.
​This week has seen a particularly varied selection of surveys including:
  • ​eDNA survey of a pond on a site in Norfolk to test for the presence of great crested newts - this pond is heavily shaded and relatively isolated and scores below average using the Habitat Suitability Index - in this case, a negative result will provide confidence that gcn are not present.
  • Reptile survey - checking refugia at a site in Norfolk that were placed a few weeks ago.  This survey revealed a lovely grass snake under one 'tin' (see photo)
  • Bat survey - a Tree Preliminary Roost Assessment of a site in Suffolk - assessing the potential of trees adjacent to a housing development site to enable a planning condition to be discharged
  • Breeding Bird Survey - up at dawn to survey a large site in South Essex
  • Great Crested Newt Survey - update of a Habitat Suitability Assessment of a cluster of ponds in Suffolk, and then a torch survey after dark -newts aplenty with both gcn and smooth newts in abundance.
​All in a weeks work!