Ecological and environmental
advice and guidance

BCMESL has provided ecological and environmental guidance and advice on a number of projects.

• BCMESL was asked by The Wildlife Partnership to undertake a visit to the recently constructed Control Building at the newly commissioned Toddleburn Wind-farm, near Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. Here, pairs of Swallow and House Martin had made various attempts at nest-building. Therefore, as an extensive programme of remedial work was required due to sub-standard construction, this potentially conflicted with the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in terms of disturbing breeding birds. As part of the Toddleburn Nesting Hirundines Advice Brian Minshull visited the site and liaised with The Wildlife Partnership and Scottish and Southern Renewables personnel, and provided guidance suggesting that the work should be postponed until after the birds had departed, as otherwise disturbance would undoubtedly occur. This guidance was adhered to and the remedial works were conducted in October 2010, once all breeding attempts had been completed.

• As detailed elsewhere, (see SNH Bean Goose Monitoring Contract), BCMESL was invited by SNH to bid for a small contract to devise a new monitoring programme, when SNH were seeking to ensure that such work was conducted on a scientifically justifiable and objective basis. Although BCMESL was not successful in this bid, the SNH Project Officer responsible invited BCMESL to complete a Peer Review of the Draft Report on Design for a Monitoring Programme for Bean Geese on the Slamannan Plateau as prepared by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Therefore, in February 2010, BCMESL was supplied with a draft copy of the report and provided detailed comments on the same.

• Having undertaken pre-construction bird survey work at the site of the proposed Carcant wind-farm in 2003 / 2004 and having been awarded a contract to complete post-construction bird surveys of the same area, (see Carcant Wind-farm Post-construction Bird Surveys), BCMESL were asked by The Wildlife Partnership to provide Advice on Habitat Management Work at Carcant. Various habitat improvement works are to be implemented as part of the mitigation of the development of the wind-farm. These works are intended to improve the existing habitats for Black Grouse and breeding waders. In particular, BCMESL was asked for advice on the creation of pools within the rough grassland areas suitable for use by the various wader species breeding nearby. It is intended that these pools will provide good feeding habitat for these waders and their young, and as such Brian Minshull advised on their construction with the intention of creating shallow pools with open, muddy margins.

• Longriggend / Upperton housing development. As a result of his previous work relating to Bean Geese on the Slamannan Plateau, (see also Fannyside Muir / Slamannan Plateau Bean Geese Survey, and Ecological and Environmental Guidance and Advice), was contacted by G. L. Hearn in June 2008 on behalf of the client, St. Andrews Homes / Gladedale (East Scotland) Limited, with regard to a requirement for specialist ornithological consultancy expertise concerning the proposed re-development of the former Longriggend Young Offenders Institute, on the Slamannan Plateau near Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. This was required as when SNH were advised of the proposed development by North Lanarkshire Council they had exercised the precautionary principle with regard to the development in a consultation response letter. This, in effect, resulted in the requirement for a detailed document to be prepared so that an appropriate assessment could be undertaken by the unitary authority. BCMESL subsequently provided this, (see also Appropriate Assessments), and also provided pertinent advice and guidance to the project team. Key activities included liaising closely with both the project team and SNH, visiting the site and liaising with the Bean Goose Action Group;

• In Etna Road, Falkirk housing development. BCMESL was contacted by G. L. Hearn in June 2008 on behalf of the client, National Grid, with regard to a requirement for ecological consultancy expertise concerning the proposed remediation and re-development of the former Etna Road gasworks site in Falkirk. Coincidentally, in May 2007, Brian Minshull, of BCMESL, had visited the same site whilst been engaged by Ecosulis to undertake reptile surveys there as part of the ecological surveys undertaken by them on behalf of WorleyParsons Komex, (see also other ecological surveys). BCMESL was subsequently contracted by National Grid to provide ongoing ecological support in relation to the proposed remediation and re-development of the former Etna Road gasworks site in Falkirk. The work-scope involved accessing and reviewing all existing ecology reports including that produced by WorleyParson Komex relating to previous ecological survey at the site advising if any further, (i.e., repeated / updated), ecological survey work was required, undertaking, (or sourcing and managing any additional survey expertise that might be required), any necessary additional ecological survey work, contributing to preparation of detailed layout proposals, preparing a Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report or similar document to support planning application; and liaising with the National Grid team and statutory consultees during planning application process. BCMESL reviewed the available existing ecology reports and conducted an interim site visit in July 2008, and then produced a detailed report which described, illustrated and summarised the findings of the desktop-study and the interim site visit survey, and also included recommendations for any such further work. Due to internal issues relating to funding the proposed remediation and re-development between different arms of the former British Gas group, the project was temporarily suspended, but is expected to go ‘live’ again in the near future;

• Fannyside Muir, Slamannan Plateau peat extraction site / SSSI and SPA. Having completed detailed surveys of wintering and roosting Bean Geese in and around Fannyside Muir, and reported on the same, (see also wintering bird surveys), BCMESL continued to provide impartial data and guidance to The Scotts Company (UK) Limited, (although the client had vested interests in using this information obtained to support their case against designation of the site as SSSI and SPA, which was completed in autumn 2008). Subsequently, BCMESL has continued to provide any necessary ecological guidance and expertise to Scotts; and,

• Castle Stuart Golf Resort. Having completed the WeBS-based and breeding bird surveys, and provided the comprehensive Ornithological Impact Assessment, (see also ornithological impact assessments), this project necessitated, BCMESL was retained by Cornerstone Golf Development International to provide ecological and environmental guidance and advice during the construction of the first golf course, primarily as this is immediately adjacent to the Moray Firth.