Ecology Surveys Framework

• Value: £1M

A range of desk and field surveys to establish the presence or absence of species including bats, the hazel dormouse, otter, water vole, badger, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and moths. The surveys will collect information on sites, site information, species records, habitat information and distribution including population forecasts. Other services to be provided will include surveys using the National Vegetation Classification and Biodiversity Net Gain. Surveys may include a suitably qualified Ecological Clerk of Works as required. Services will include a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal comprising a desk study and a field survey. This will include gathering site information, species records, habitat information and distribution information focusing protected habitats and/or species. Surveys should be undertaken by qualified and experienced professionals with an understanding of nature conservation legislation and planning. Bat surveys will include a Preliminary Roost Assessment and ecologists will arrange visits at dusk to listen, record and observe roosts to compile information on species, numbers, access points, roosting locations and flightpaths. Surveys will involve the use of night vision aids and thermal imaging cameras. Further services will include ground level tree assessments, potential roost feature inspection surveys and bat activity surveys involving nighttime bat walkovers, automatic/static detectors and bat sound analysis. Bat box checks and hibernation surveys will also be required with the potential for bat trapping with results collated to record species, time of capture, weather conditions and biometric data. Surveys will be required to establish the presence/absence of otter and water vole by qualified and experienced ecologists in accordance with Natural England guidance. The hazel dormouse is present on some sites and there will be a requirement for nest box checks and footprint tunnel checks to produce reports mapping the distribution of the hazel dormouse on PW sites. Surveys will be required to establish the presence/absence of badgers and collated into survey reports. In some instances mitigation measures may be required and/or sett creation. Appropriate licences will be required. Surveys will be required to determine the presence/absence of amphibians including population size in water bodies and terrestrial and aquatic habitat surveys. Environmental DNA analysis will be required to assess the presence or absence of great crested newts. Survey techniques may include refuge searching, egg searching, netting, torching and bottle traps. Population estimate surveys will be required to establish the population and distribution of reptiles by placing felts in suitable locations between April and October each year. Terrestrial invertebrates will be surveyed. Butterflies will be determined by walking a transect twice a month between April to October. Moths will be surveyed using moth traps on four occasions each year. Saproxylic species will be surveyed using aerial interception traps, beating, hand searching and light trapping. Habitat surveys shall be undertaken by appropriately trained, experienced and qualified surveyors. The community of plants in any habitat will be determined using the national vegetation classification including onsite surveys, sampling and data analysis. Biodiversity net gain will be measured using the statutory biodiversity metric measures using site visits, desk study, mapping and baseline/pre-development calculations with post-development calculations and reports. Services performed under this Lot may require the services of an Ecological Clerk of Works. Tasks will include (but not limited to), pre-construction checks, nesting bird checks, implementing Construction Environmental Management Plans, tool box talks for site staff and an ecological watching brief. Other surveys not otherwise specified may be required in accordance with relevant industry guidelines and best practice.

• Value: £1M

A range of river and bankside surveys to provide habitat mapping and reporting. The surveys will include invertebrates, aquatic plants and fish. Surveys will include Modular River Physical Surveys, River Condition Assessments, habitat mapping, surveys of macroinvertebrates and macrophytes as well as water quality monitoring including laboratory analysis. Initial surveys should include the identification and selection of locations for fixed point photography to provide visual evidence where works are proposed and the impact during and after implementation of any works. A modular river physical bankside survey is required to complete a River Condition Assessment. A report including recommendations must be produced and geomorphological surveys may also be commissioned as part of the Environment Agency licence to impound water. Habitat mapping will be required to identify functional fish habitats. The full length of any watercourse should be walked and mapped onto a high-resolution map with key habitats/structures recorded. Where possible data should be collected digitally. Macroinvertebrate monitoring surveys are required to determine the success of any translocation works in watercourses or habitat improvement work in pond habitats. Samples taken should be analysed in the laboratory to Environment Agency requirements. A report with recommendations will be required. Macrophyte monitoring surveys are required to determine the success of any translocation works in watercourses or habitat improvement works in pond habitats. Survey data should be processed using standard biotic indices. A report with recommendations will be required. Fish populations shall be monitored using electric fishing surveys undertaken by experienced personnel in accordance with industry guidelines. Water quality monitoring surveys will be required to determine changes in water quality. Surveys will be conducted using multiparameter logging instruments and spot sampling from the water's edge. Results will be analysed and a report shall be produced Services performed under this Lot may require the services of an Ecological Clerk of Works. Tasks will include (but not limited to), pre-construction checks, nesting bird checks, implementing Construction Environmental Management Plans, tool box talks for site staff and an ecological watching brief. Other surveys not otherwise specified may be required in accordance with relevant industry guidelines and best practice.

• Value: £1M

Services to provide an arboricultural impact assessment, method statement and tree protection plan to record species, dimensions and quality of the trees on the various sites. Services of an arborist will also be required to monitor and supervise works as a watching brief during site clearance and construction. Services will include tree inspections and tree hazard assessments. A tree constraints plan is required to identify the desired tree retention category of the trees. All tree inspections are to be undertaken using the visual tree assessment methodology, including the diagnosis of structural defects and an evaluation of their significance from visible signs and the application of biomechanical criteria. Surveys will be undertaken in accordance with industry guidelines. Basic tree inspection surveys and a tree hazard assessment will be required to identify foreseeable defects, symptoms of tree disease, fungi or pathogens. The tree hazard inspection will involve production of a report of the survey zones, a risk analysis and a schedule of recommended ongoing monitoring An arborist will be required to supervise works including sensitive excavation in root protection areas, investigative digging, tree protection fence checks, tagging trees for felling, pruning, remedial tree works or advice during installation of ground protection systems. Services performed under this Lot may require the services of an Ecological Clerk of Works. Tasks will include (but not limited to), pre-construction checks, nesting bird checks, implementing Construction Environmental Management Plans, tool box talks for site staff and an ecological watching brief. Other surveys not otherwise specified may be required in accordance with relevant industry guidelines and best practice.