ECHOES E-News: January 2011

Phase 1, Bats, Birds, Badgers, Otters & Other Protected Species Surveys

Echoes Ecology very much started off life as an ecological consultancy specialising in Bat and Bird related consultancy and training. However, in recent years we have also developed the same high levels of expertise in other areas such as Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, Badgers and Otters. Not only are we able to provide high quality survey programmes, but we are also able to deliver mitigation and compensation strategies that dovetail into your project plans and support Protected Species licence applications. Please visit our Ecological Surveys page or Contact Us to find out more.

Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) Service

Do you have projects where you require an Ecological Clerk of Works? If so, we
have the experience to carry out this work for you. Echoes Ecology have been involved with numerous projects where we have worked with developers helping them to achieve their goals by assisting with appropriate solutions, including the requirements of protected species licences (e.g. bats, badgers and otters).

We have worked on a vast range of projects of all sizes (e.g. bridge construction, flood defence projects, housing development, wind farms). Our rates are competitive and operate on a sliding scale, which means that our day-rate reduces as the job gets bigger. For more information on this service please contact Neil Middleton by phone (Tel: 0870 234 0002) or email: neil.middleton@echoesecology.co.uk

Tree Felling/Surgery - Aerial Tree Surveys (Bat Roosting, Bird Nesting)

Echoes Ecology have an experienced team in place to carry out aerial surveys of trees which require to be worked upon as a result of development or habitat management. We are able to combine our knowledge of protected species with our expertise of having carried out numerous contracts, of all sizes, of this type. All of our tree climbers are qualified (NPTC Tree Climbing & Aerial Rescue). We operate thorough risk assessments and our insurances fully cover us for such circumstances.

In conducting the work, one of the qualified climbers will also be a licenced bat worker and experienced grounds person, therefore if a roost is found we can immediately gather the information that would be an essential requirement for a Hab Regs European Protected Species (EPS) Licence. Our aerial survey team comprises of in-house ecologists (with tree climbing qualifications) combined with the 'day-to-day' working experience, in this challenging environment, of Kelly Tree Care. By choosing to supplement our team with external full-time tree contractors, we find we are able to deliver contracts more effectively, thus saving our clients time and costs.

We are also giving our clients the option, when appropriate, for trees to be worked upon or felled alongside the bat and bird assessments, hence speeding up the process and saving costs for the client.

For more information about our aerial tree surveying service please contact Laura Davis by phone (Tel: 0870 234 0002) or email: laura.davis@echoesecology.co.uk

Ecological Skills & Business Skills Training

If you are an organisation who regularly appoints ecological consultants you may find it useful to receive training in a number of areas such as Appointment of Ecologists, Survey Methods, Best Practice Guidelines, Legal Principals and Critical Analysis of Ecological Reports.

Echoes Ecology are experienced and professional 'business-to-business' trainers who can provide this service. We are able to deliver a wide range of material in a format and at a location that suits your team. To discuss your requirments contact Neil Middleton or Jenny Diack by phone (Tel: 0870 234 0002) or email: jenny.diack@echoesecology.co.uk

We also have an ongoing programme of Bat and Bird Courses that you can enrol on, visit our Ecological Training page for more information.

In addition to ecological subjects, we also have the ability to deliver Business Skills Training & workshops (e.g. Marketing, Business Planning, Business Finance) through our associated business consultancy company, Time For Bespoke Solutions Ltd. For more information please contact Neil Middleton by phone (Tel: 0870 234 0002) or email: neil.middleton@echoesecology.co.uk

Echoes Ecology Support & Research Opportunities at Threave Bat Reserve

Since 2006 Echoes Ecology have been working closely with The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) at many of their sites, including Threave Estate in Dumfries & Galloway. Threave is one of the best places in Scotland for studying bats, and as such is the location where many Echoes Ecology training events have taken place in recent years. As a result of these events, well over 100 delegates from all over the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and as far away as Cyprus and the Middle East have visited the site. Echoes Ecology also provided technical advice/pictures for the NTS Threave Bat Reserve mobile educational trailer and the Threave Bat Reserve leaflet.

From 2010 Echoes Ecology agreed to sponsor bat research at NTS Threave by providing advice, technical support and an annual research grant of up to £1,000, supported by on-site accomodation provided by NTS. To find out more about this please see the article within the NTS Threave Bat Reserve Newsletter.

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ECHOES E-Newsis an electronic newsletter produced three times per annum (January, May & September).
It has been developed in order to keep our clients and potential clients up-to-date with the services that we offer and any significant changes happening within the ecological sector that we feel you should be made aware of.