ESS Ecology

High quality ecological impact assessments for developments, including habitat and species surveys for terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecology.

Projects

Salmonid assessment on the River Clyde

ESS Ecology was commissioned by Ironside Farrar to conduct a salmonid assessment of a site on the River Clyde, Glasgow.  The proposed development was to be an extension of the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies which would overhang and require pile driving in the river.  SNH required that impact on migrating fish species (in particular Atlantic salmon as a LBAP species) be considered.

A River Habitat Survey was conducted in August 2008 over a 1500m stretch of the river, centred on the existing site.  Habitat features and vegetation types were mapped and detailed information was recorded at 50m intervals.  Supporting RHS data for the River Clyde was obtained from the Environment Agency and records of protected fish species were sought from the local biological records centre.

Following completion of the survey and receipt of the supporting records ESS Ecology produced a report detailing the survey results and recommendations for minimising impact to migrating fish and other aquatic ecology.  It was concluded that existing habitat features were already highly modified and of low quality and would not be significantly affected by the proposed works.  The proposed planting post development may also produce a slight improvement in habitat for Atlantic salmon. Ironside Farrar Testimonial.

North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm

ESS Ecology started working on North Hoyle, the first substantial UK offshore wind farm off the North Wales coast, in March 2006 and have assisted RWE npower renewables, on behalf of the site owners Beaufort Wind Ltd, to fulfill their licensing conditions. This involved collecting post construction monitoring data, and undertaking statistical analyses of changes in bird densities.

A report has been produced on the findings of five years of ornithological monitoring, from November 2001 to March 2007, of the common scoter and diver species, being the qualifying species for the Liverpool Bay SPA (Special Protection Area proposed under the EC Birds Directive). This is appended to the ornithological chapter of the final FEPA report, which closed off the license requirement for North Hoyle.
RWE npower renewables Testimonial.

Amphibian HSI Assessments for land at Glenfarg

ESS Ecology was commissioned by A & J Stephen (Builders) Ltd to undertake an assessment of the suitability of Land at Hilton of Duncrievie, Glenfarg for great crested newts following consultation with Perth and Kinross Council.
 
ESS Ecology undertook a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessment which comprised examining both aquatic habitat and terrestrial habitat suitability within and adjacent to the site.  The assessment was backed up with a thorough desk based study of existing records from the surrounding area. 

The assessment showed that the lack of suitable aquatic habitat within or adjacent to the site severely limited the suitability of the site in supporting a population of great crested newts.  While good terrestrial habitat features exist, no newt population could be sustained without aquatic habitat to provide breeding opportunities.  Furthermore, ESS Ecology argued that newt movement into the site would be heavily impeded by the significant barriers which lay adjacent to the site, namely the presence of roads to the west and east.  The findings of the study were backed up by locally sourced records which indicated that the nearest great crested newt population was roughly 7km northeast of the site.  No newts of any species were observed during the HSI survey.

ESS Ecology produced a report detailing the findings of the survey and the desk based study stating that the presence of great crested newts was extremely unlikely and that development could proceed without further consideration made to the presence of great crested newts.  This report was subsequently issued to the local authority by A & J Stephen (Builders) Ltd for comment. A & J Stephen  Builders Ltd Testimonial

Land at Kilmahew, Cardross on behalf of NVA.

ESS Ecology was commissioned by ERZ Limited (on behalf of NVA an environmental arts charity) to undertake an extended Phase 1 habitat survey and a preliminary woodland assessment survey on land at Kilmahew, near Cardross in Argyll and Bute.  Both surveys were undertaken to inform subsequent decision making as part of preliminary investigation work (funded in part by SNH) at the site for a possible temporary / permanent artwork, a significant departure from the ecological investigatory work ESS Ecology is familiar with undertaking for commercial development.

The site was surveyed in January 2009.  The preliminary woodland assessment survey was carried out to assess the woodland in terms of species, size/age class & structural composition and variation, natural regeneration and current management status following published guidance (JNCC, 1988; Caledonian Partnership, 1997).  The extended phase 1 habitat survey consisted of a walkover of the site looking at the broad habitat types in line with published guidance (JNCC, 2003) with observations made for the presence of any protected species through direct observation or field signs.

Both surveys updated previous survey work undertaken at the site (SWT, 1998) and the preliminary woodland assessment survey prescribed a number of potential future management options for consideration.  ERZ Ltd & NVA websites.