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GPM Ecology has never been so busy in September, with four reptile translocations and three surveys conducted during this month. Three of the projects were on Southern Water waste-treatment improvement schemes; two in relation to sheltered-accommodation bungalow refurbishments with a Housing Association; one at a Surrey-heathland style golf course and another on a small private housing scheme in conjunction with Surrey Wildlife Trust consultancy. On 9th September 2011 Natural England published the long-awaited Reptile Mitigation Guidelines, which have not be updated since Froglife guidelines dating back to 1998.

POST-SCRIPT: By end of October 2011 Natural England had removed this publication.

GPM Ecology has been involved in a major housing allocation in the Midlands since 2007, proposals having included 300 dwellings, a relief road and associated Open Space. On-site monitoring has included detailed botanical, hedgerow, invertebrate, bird, bat, reptile and badger surveys. During initial 2007 surveys the proposed development cut through an 'important' hedge, protected under Hedgerow Regulations 1997, with several defunct hedges also impacted. By August 2011 hedgerow features had grown to the extent that the 'important' hedge was now over 5m wide (too wide to be considered a hedge?) and the defunct hedges had grown into favourable priority BAP hedges!

During July GPM Ecology relocated just over 130 slow-worms and 27 grass snakes for specialist housing provider English Rural, at a 0.2ha eight-dwelling plot in a Surrey Village. Half were released into a vandal-proof compost bin (see June News below) on a former horticultural site, with the remaining released into a compost converter on an allotment adjacent a lush Tropical Garden. Finding appropriate release sites is very challenging. They must be safe from future development, with enough space to accommodate relocated animals and appropriately managed. We also found late breeding Garden Warbler in scrub on 20th July, fledging by 26th July, with young calling from oaks until 1st August.

During June GPM Ecology completed a reptile translocation of a 1.3ha development site (featured in March News). 300 slow-worms, seven grass snake and three viviparous lizards were relocated from the development. The receptor site included the installation of three robust compost bins, one them designed for all four species of widespread reptile, as constructed and illustrated below:

1. Two pallets (front and rear) dug into topsoil
2. Supported by two posts at front with stock fence attached to secure structure
3. Sides composed of logs, pushed through the stock-fence
4. Fill with well-rotted compost
5. Reptile ' Des Res ' ready for use

Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group assisted at a Surrey Fire Service Wildfire Day held at Hindhead on 28th May. Low spring rainfall and dry conditions on Surrey heathland sites already caused some significant fires during spring with three separate fires alone alight on 18th April, causing damage at Lightwater Country Park, Bagshot Heath and Elstead Common. A dead adder from Elstead Common is pictured below, taken by Jamel Guenioui of Surrey Wildlife Trust and Gareth of GPM Ecology found a dead smooth snake following the Lightwater Fire. See the SARG Wildfire Site for more information.

GPM Ecology has just been involved in two planning applications with potential impact upon SPA Birds. Solent Wader and Brent Goose Strategy has been developed due to recreational and development pressures upon SPA Birds. During March 2011 we conducted bird surveys at important roost sites in close proximity to a proposed marina development. Surveys included boat passes using a Rigid Inflatable Boat to assess the potential disturbance boats could have upon a high-tide roost, with the event captured on video (see below). An Ecological Impact Assessment detailing impacts upon SPA and botanical features was submitted to the LPA during April 2011.

During 2006 and 2010 GPM Ecology was involved in conducting reptile surveys and developing a mitigation strategy for a small housing site in Surrey. A tree felling licence was issued in February 2011 to manage a Norway Spruce plantation on the banks of the River Wey, following the agreement of a management plan between the landowner, Local Planning Authority, client and Forestry Commission. Works were conducted by Greenways Countryside Management during early March to fell and ring-bark up to 50% of the plantation, in order to create new habitat for translocated reptiles to colonise and for biodiversity enhancement.

During February GPM Ecology was involved in two projects where the ecological information was queried by LPA on account there was not enough survey and mitigation info in relation to ecological issues that represented a material consideration. Interpretation does vary between Authorities! Where a site has potential to support important ecological features of material consideration (such as protected species) then Natural England Standing Advice is that planning permission should not be determined until adequate surveys and mitigation have been presented (see flow-charts below). Developers should instruct ecological surveys the correct time of year to ensure they supply appropriate information.

GPM Ecology has just been involved in an exciting project, where a Hampshire Estate is keen to diversify by installing Photovoltaic Collectors into a former arable field. The field would be maintained by sheep, seeded with an acid grass seed-mix and expected to provide overall gain to the ecology of the area. Numerous applications across the Country are being submitted, since the Government introduced the renewable Feed-in Tariff (FiT) in April 2010 and current demand has been created following a plan to reduce the rate of energy paid to solar pv generators under FiT scheme. F.A.Q. brochure below was produced by Douglas Briggs Partnership:

This year we are donating to ARG (UK), the Amphibian and Reptile Groups network for the UK, to help funding towards a conference on 29th/30th January 2011. In addition we donate to Handicap International UK, an independent aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Presently active in Pakistan after the floods focusing on providing access to clean drinking water, temporary shelters and survival kits for those affected, to hopefully prevent the development of epidemics. Support HI(UK) and check out their new website.

Following ecology surveys to seven housing-association bungalow sites, GPM Ecology has been compiling planning reports for each site during November. The schemes involve over 65 single-bed properties, demolished and refurbished into two-bed bungalows. Although ecological issues are generally of low concern for such developments, evidence of Pipistrelle bats were located beneath fascias of flat-roofed bungalows (pictured below), with up to five different roosts identified at this site. These fascias provide a similar roost site to bat boxes, as recommended by Bat Conservation Trust (click logo below).

In spring GPM Ecology discovered the third known breeding population of American Bull-frog Lithobates catesbeianus in the UK . By September Natural England commissioned 'Herpetologic Ltd' to monitor and commence a control program of this non-native amphibian. If populations establish they could drastically impact wildlife on UK ponds, with frogs growing up to 20cm and tadpoles up to 15cm in length! In October GPM Ecology assisted 'Herpetologic Ltd' to monitor the population. Frogs are distinct with a deep cow-like 'call' - feel free to listen below! For more info click on the NNSS logo below.

GPM Ecology has recently completed initial trapping for our 25th Great Crested Newt (GCN) mitigation development license, since 1998, averaging two licenses per year. At this Grade II Listed-house refurbishment GCN turned-up over 750m from the breeding pond and even within the derelict property. Over this period licenses have ranged from major housing developments; to temporary utility pipe-line disturbances; to landscaping school playing-fields. Where possible we do try to avoid development licenses which cause expense and timing delays, but sometimes this is unavoidable!

14th August headlines in The Guardian alerted the public of a comprehensive Spending Review towards an 'Austerity Countryside' to be unveiled by the Coalition Government. The cuts to be reviewed on 30th October, will result in extensive job losses to government officials responsible for managing wildlife, could impact status of important wildlife sites and grants available to various wildlife projects! It is still not too late to persuade those in power not to slash spending on conservation and wildlife-friendly farming. Have your say by accessing the DEFRA website and click on the banners below for more information:

11th July saw a huge fire at Frensham Common. Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group plotted the area of burn, covering about 60ha, which was finally out by 21st July. As shown on the plan this was a key area for Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake. Click on the SARG logo to see photos of the incident. On 31st July nearly two weeks after the fire SARG managed to rescue 20 reptiles (4 Sand Lizard, 14 Common Lizard, 2 Adders and 1 Slow-worm), following a call for help from Steve Webster, Frensham Common Ranger.

6th June saw the 'BBC Springwatch Wild Day Out' in Shalford Park, Guildford, Surrey. A BBC Breathing Places event hosted by Guildford Borough Council and organised by Surrey Wildlife Trust. As part of the event Gareth presented a 20 minute talk on the reptiles and amphibians of Surrey. This was the first ever Springwatch Wild Day Out in Surrey, with over 7000 people attending. Click 'play' below to hear Gareth being interviewed by Brooklands FM radio presenter Suzanne Hunter.

Later on 23rd June we took twelve Scouts from 1st Haslemere Troop on a nature walk at a local wood, which ended with a 'show and tell' at an active dormice nest box, which was known to have two non-breeding Dormice present. The Scouts were briefly shown a male Dormouse, explained the animals life-cycle, threats and importance of monitoring Dormice.

At the start of May GPM Ecology provided some hands-on adder training for WYG Consultants in Hampshire. During May we also trialed several 'Leapers and Creepers' sessions for Tennysons Childrens Centre and Haslemere Young Parents. A half-hour 'show and tell' with locally caught amphibians and reptiles, proved popular and an ideal May event to show young pre-school children and parents the animals, their life-stages and where they live.

GPM Ecology is pleased to have won the Greenest Business Award 2010, during the Haslemere Chamber of Commerce Business awards ceremony, presented at the Annual Dinner and Dance, The Georgian Hotel on 16th April.

Gareth is now using the micro-blogging service Twitter. As a leading ecologist, Gareth aims to provide quick news snippets and information related to the ecology industry via this medium. The web site news section will continue to provide commentary on events and stories of particular interest.

Gareth is taking part in the 5km 'Swimathon' on 16th April, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. The swim will last around 2 hours and is 200 lengths of a 25m pool. Do log onto the website below if you are interested in taking part (there are 2.5km options and a Corporate Challenge). Alternatively contact GPM Ecology if you are able to make a donation through sponsorship.