2022 Ecology Survey Season Highlights

Nicolle works sensitively with bothersome badgers

The highlight of Nicolle’s season (albeit a little unusual to say the least!) has been working on a project in East Sussex where badgers have been creating setts within a churchyard. As ecological consultants, we tend to work on badger projects in relation to development and planning so this is something that has certainly been different and very interesting!

Sadly, the badgers have been affecting a number of graves and it is incredibly important that we address the situation with care and sensitivity, ensuring that the badgers are safely excluded from the churchyard to prevent them encroaching on the land in the future, but also ensuring that the needs of the local parish are met. The project is ongoing, but Nicolle and the team are hopeful we can find a solution that works for the badgers and local residents alike.

PJC secures Natural England bat licences for clients.

In the last year, our in house technical bat specialist has been writing and applying for Natural England European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licences for clients.

Bat presence is recorded from droppings, visual sightings or with Night Vision Aids such as infra-red cameras.  An EPSM licence is required for all works on buildings where bats are recorded present, as all bats and their roosts are legally protected. The licence enables the landowner to undertake the works on the building within the law. It is subject to conditions including the supervision of the works by a suitably qualified ecologist, this is usually a class 2 licensed ecologist.

The supervision of the works includes teaching those on site about bats and watching the contractors as they carry out the works.

 “The supervision of works is one of the best parts of the licensing process, when I get to see the works carried out as planned, I get to teach new people about bats and sometimes, if we find bats, I get to handle them and gently re-locate them to their new home.” – Sarah, PJC ecologist.

During the licensing process, PJC works closely with our clients, landowners, and architects to ensure quick application, processing and issuing of the licences as well as ensuring the works are undertaken in a timely, cost effective and safe manner for all involved, including the bats!

Naomi grows her plant knowledge

Naomi joined the PJC team earlier this year, having spent many years working and studying the animal sciences and wildlife conservation, she was excited to delve deeper into the world of plants.

“PJC have been extremely supportive of my desire to progress my botany skills, one particular highlight being the botany evening course I’m attending with Kent Wildlife Trust. These classes have fuelled my enthusiasm for all things wild and green; I’ll never look at a bristly oxtongue the same way again!” – Naomi, PJC ecologist.

With the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain, Naomi’s new botany skills are a valuable asset to PJC, and with it she has also discovered a new lifelong hobby!

‘Try to learn something about everything, and everything about something.’ – Thomas Huxley, aka Darwin’s Bulldog.