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In August 2008, BCMESL was contracted to Sefton Council / Merseyside
Environmental Advisory Service to undertake a monthly series
of co-ordinated WeBS-based low-tide counts on the Sefton coast
between Formby Point and the Seaforth Dock-wall. Counts were
organised and completed each month by Brian Minshull and a co-worker
working in close conjunction with the Sefton Coast and Countryside
Ranger Service; for instance, the latter provided land-rovers
and drivers to facilitate the survey. The purpose of the survey
work was to provide an updated data-base relating to usage patterns
of this section of the Merseyside coastline by waterfowl; the
last such surveys were done in 1998 – 1999. This data-base
was required in order to prepare for any future Habitat Regulations
Assessments and / or Environmental Impact Assessments that may
be required to support applications to improve sea-defences
on this highly-designated but threatened coastline.
The initial 8 month survey period was extended to include the
important spring passage months of April and May, and the resultant
data sets were presented, analysed and discussed in a series
of reports and appendices, as follows.
The raw data which the survey work generated was presented in
the Data Report Appendices, (together with summaries of existing
data, methodologies, etc.), and analysed and discussed in the
Data Report itself. Further, as the work was commissioned in
order to appraise future assessments of the Sefton Coast coastal
defence strategy, the findings of the survey work were discussed
in another report entitled the Assessment Report. This is intended
to provide an initial basis for all future assessments relating
to the proposed works on the coastline of the study area. This
was done within the context of the relevant environmental designations
and citations relating to this coastline, and the environmental
legislation pertaining to the protection of such areas, which
are included within the Assessment Report Appendices.
Finally, the count data generated by the surveys was incorporated
into a MapInfo data-base, which allows it to be interrogated
in infinite combinations relating to each of the individual
bird species or groups of birds species, for all of the count
sectors within the count unit or for individual ones, and for
the entire 10 months period, or for seasons or individual months;
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A wintering and breeding bird survey of the site of a proposed
new development, (provisionally involving 2,500 units and associated
mixed use development), at Durieshill, near Stirling, on behalf
of Nigel Rudd Ecology. A comprehensive report was prepared following
the completion of the fieldwork;
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A Phase 1 Habitat and Protected Species Survey of the site
of the proposed new Westfield wind-farm, near Glenrothes, Fife
for RPS, in 2009. The site surveyed was some 100 ha. and is
comprised of extensive areas of despoliation associated with
opencast mining which are now being colonised by various pioneer
vegetation. The work-scope was confined to the preparation of
a neat copy of the resultant Phase 1 Habitat Survey Map and
target notes following a site visit; and,
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As a result of his previous work relating to Bean Geese on
the Slamannan Plateau, 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, 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.
As such, BCM Environmental Services Limited has continued to develop
its ornithological and ecological surveying capabilities, and provided
carefully targeted environmental consultancy expertise to a variety
of clients, including local authorities, private developers, and
land-owners.
In the near future it is intended to continue to undertake this
type of work. As part of this business development strategy it is
intended to explore other work opportunities in England and Wales,
by utilising a new office location in the English Midlands as well
the existing one in Central Scotland.
Finally, Brian Minshull is a full member of the Institute
of Ecology and Environmental Management, (IEEM), and
a Chartered Environmentalist.
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