Carry out a Local Wildlife Survey
The information on this web page has been adapted from a factsheet provided by the Durham Wildlife Trust.
Before You Start
If you want to survey a local area for wildlife, you will need to start with a map of the area. The best size to record a site survey in detail is usually 1:1250 or more; however, 1.2500 may also be feasible. Before you start your survey, examine maps of the site to determine its size, shape, topography, etc.
Knowledge of the former use of the site is important, as building foundations, underground services, past deposits of waste, effluents, etc. can all create problems with ground preparation, drainage and planting. Your local library or museum may have historical data on the area and may be able to suggest other sources of information such as local history societies. The district council or county council Record Office may also hold relevant information. It would also be useful to refer to the local planning authority’s utilities map.
Surveying in the Field
If you have a volunteer team helping, you will need to check health and safety and access issues.
Unless you are only conducting the survey by looking over fences, you may need to access both publicly and privately owned land. If a site is known to be public, such as a churchyard, park or public open space there may be no problem with access, but courtesy still dictates that you should inform site managers of your activities. If the site is privately owned then it is important to identify and contact the site owners and check that they are willing for you to carry out the survey.
As you start your survey, it will be very important to have good field guides to use.
At this first stage you need to walk over the site once, to roughly plot the boundaries of recognisably distinct strands of vegetation. A compass might be useful to keep your bearings. On larger sites, taking a route moving across the site from one end to the other, zigzagging from one side to the other as you go, will probably be the most efficient way to cover the ground.
Points to Note
- Killing, injuring, taking or selling specially protected species such as the otter, badger, red squirrel or bat is against the law (Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981).
- Disturbing such species in their place of shelter is also illegal.
- All wild birds, and their nests and eggs are protected, and there are penalties for harming the rarer species listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
- Specially protected plants may not be uprooted, picked or sold. Uprooting any wild flowers without the landowner’s permission is illegal.
- When identifying plants, bring the book to the plant, not the plant to the book.
- Avoid making too much noise or creating disturbance in areas where birds are nesting, for example dense scrub, particularly during the nesting season (March to August for most species).
- If a nest is discovered, do not move branches aside to get a better look. This may alter the nest’s surroundings, or damage the nest itself, causing the parent birds to desert it.
Detailed Site Surveys
Four main aspects of the wildlife site should be explored. These are: underground features; soil; topography and landscape; and habitats, communities and species.Underground Features
These are especially important if any excavation will be necessary on the site. You should be aware of the possibility of finding gas pipes, electricity and telephone cables, sewerage and water supply pipes, other pipelines and even wells. Information about all of these should be available from the local planning authority utilities map.Soil
A laboratory is necessary if you need a detailed soil analysis carried out. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA - formerly MAFF), a local college or university, some local authorities and some consultancies can carry out soil analysis, but there is usually a fee.
The physical and chemical characteristics of soils interact and contribute to the soil’s nutrient status. Measurement of the following characteristics will give you an estimate of soil quality.
Physical Properties
- Soil moisture / soil water tension
- Soil water table levels
- Soil composition and structure
Chemical Properties
- Acidity / alkalinity
- Available nitrogen
- Available phosphorus
- Available potassium
- Other major nutrients
- Trace elements
Topography and Landscape
It is worthwhile checking with the local authority to see if any maps of site topography exist. If no such study has been undertaken, the local authority or a local college or university might assist you with expertise, and equipment such as theodolites, ranging poles, tape measures, etc.
Topography can be very important when deciding where to site features such as a pond or a tree nursery.
Landscape features can be particularly important in urban sites, and they can impact on conditions for plant growth. Buildings, for example, can shade areas from both rain and sun, so the positioning of buildings around the site should be carefully taken into account.
Mature trees and shelter belts should be considered in the same way.
Habitats, Communities and Species
When you examine your wildlife site in more detail, the simple method set out here can be supplemented with additional data on size and distribution of particular habitats, the types of plant communities in these habitats and more comprehensive lists of plant and animal species present.
A detailed analysis of the site can be of particular interest when assessing the wildlife value of certain areas and deciding which areas, if any, can be built on, cultivated or otherwise altered with minimum damage to the wildlife value of the site as a whole.
Sites need to be visited a number of times in different seasons throughout the year. For example, in winter when the vegetation has died back, certain site features may appear which are obscured by growth at other times of the year. Different plant species come into leaf and flower at different times of the year, so repeated visits will make the survey both easier and more complete. Seasonal features such as autumn and spring water-logging might be missed if survey work is only undertaken during the summer.
Every plant species has its own tolerance range to soil factors such as nutrient availability, pH and moisture content. By studying the plants found on site you will gain an indication of soil type and of which plants are most likely to tolerate the particular conditions.
Site Survey Checklist
This checklist should help you to identify the different elements of your site.Habitat
- Ponds
- Marsh
- Hedgerows
- Streams
- Woodland
- Scrub
- Meadow
- Ditches
Problems
- Litter
- Broken fences
- Slippery, unstable or muddy paths
- Pollution
- Erosion
- Overgrown or neglected pond, stream or marsh
- Overgrown or neglected meadow
- Overgrown or damaged hedgerow
- Overgrown or neglected woodland
- Invading plants
Landscape Features
- Walls
- Buildings
- Paths
- Fences
- Gates
- Steps
Restriction
- Land drains
- Overhead power lines
- Electricity cables
- Gas pipes
Site Design
If you intend to make any changes to your wildlife site then you will need a site design. There two main considerations that must be taken into account; firstly the 'soft' landscape, of grass, shrubs, trees, etc. and secondly the 'hard' landscape of buildings, footpaths, fences, etc.The Soft Landscape
From your site survey you will know which areas are best suited for wildlife, and therefore which to conserve.
The type and range of habitat that you can create will depend on your resources, and on the characteristics of your site. You should consider the following points:
- Size of site. Design new habitats to match the size of the site.
- Site character and underground services. How fertile or damp is your soil? Where are the sunny corners? How close are the nearest buildings? The character of your site will help you to decide on the best place for trees, ponds, and other features. You will also need to find out where service cable and pipe lines run through your site as this will affect the placing of new features.
- Make the most of special features. Try to use them to your advantage; for example, hollows may be suitable for ponds, or small hills for growing wildflowers, while a corner that is sunny, but sheltered from the wind might be ideal for a butterfly garden.
- Sanctuary areas and sensitive wildlife sites. Certain areas such as marshes, meadows and old woodlands may need protection if there are likely to be a lot of visitors to the site. Try to find ways to discourage visitors from entering these areas, e.g. designated footpaths, fences, hedges, etc.
- Linking Habitats. Wildlife corridors are the pathways that wildlife uses to travel between habitats; for example, hedgerows are good for linking woodland areas, etc. Try to create natural linkages which will allow wildlife to move between habitats.
- 'Soft edges'. Your design should produce natural soft verges between habitats; for example, grasses should be allowed to spread from woodland edges.
- Consider the local community. Make sure that you take into account the needs of neighbours and the local community, so don't plant trees where they would spoil a local view point, etc. As far as possible, consult local people to find out what they would like on the site.
- Resources. Plan your site to match your resources; don't create habitats that will need a lot of management unless you are sure that people will be able to carry out that management in the future.
The Hard Landscape
Small added details such as seats, well kept paths and fences show that an area is cared for. If you do add seats, fences, etc. they should blend with each other and with the natural surroundings.Action Plan
Once you have carried out your site survey and have decided what you would like to do you will need to produce an Action Plan to help you to plan what you want to do, in what order, and how you will achieve it. The Action Plan will help to point out possible problems. This Plan is very important and time spent on it at this stage will ensure that you will be successful when the hard work starts later. When you are writing your Action Plan, seek advice from other people and organisations. Your local Wildlife Trust may be able to help. There is a simple format to follow to ensure that your Action Plan is effective:Part 1 - Aims
The most common aims are:- To improve or restore the area for wildlife.
- To encourage people to visit and enjoy the site.
- To provide for people with special needs, including people with disabilities and mobility problems.
Part 2 - Information
Your survey design, along with the maps you have produced, will provide the following information for inclusion in the Action Plan. Wildlife and man-made features.- Problems you are likely to face.
- Restrictions on the site.
- How the site has been managed in the past.
Part 3 - Deciding what needs to be done
- Looking after the structure. Fence, signs, paths, seats and steps will need to be looked after and repaired as necessary.
- Controlling litter.
- Monitoring change. Your site will change as the years go by, so you should monitor what happens. Monitoring will tell you if your project is going the way that you planned.
Part 4 - Management
The management of your site is crucial and you must include your management plans.
Once you have decided what to do with your site it helps to break down the work into separate tasks, making up a work plan. This will show the amount of work necessary at any one time. If this sounds daunting, don't panic! There are plenty of organisations that will be willing to help and get you started.
Try contacting:
Durham Wildlife Trust
Rainton Meadows
Chilton Moor
Houghton-le-Spring
Dh3 6PU
Tel: 0191 5843112
