Nesting Bird Mitigation

Mitigation

When it is not possible to postpone operations to outside that of the bird nesting season (March to August) and physical barriers are not practical it can often be possible to prevent birds from nesting by establishing a mitigation program. NBC has many different options available although the most effective of these has proved to be the use of specially trained falcons and dogs. These if used early enough in the year provide a disruptive presence that encourages birds that may otherwise nest in the development area into an area where they can nest successfully without conflict.

Compensation Measures

It is always favourable to establish an area of diversion habitat away from the development site where birds can nest without conflict and as a result their populations will remain unaffected. NBC can support in identifying these areas and advise on measures such as nest boxes that may make them more attractive reducing pressure on the development site and there for reducing risk.

Birds most commonly experienced on developments:

Whilst all nesting birds have the potential to impact or be impacted by developments our experience is that these species listed below are those most likely to come into conflict;

• Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
• Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) Schedule 1
• Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
• Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
• House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
• Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Schedule 1
• Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
• Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus fuscus)

Monitoring & Auditable Practices

Our experienced wildlife management operatives digitally record their activities and observations recording bird species, behaviour and location that is then available to transpose onto GIS mapping for analysis if required. They will advise the client on any changes in risk and measures that can be taken to reduce it providing a positive, proactive and auditable approach to protect and minimise the impact to our client.

For further no obligation advice please contact us here

Licence Applications

Although licencing authorities will not issues protected species licences in relation to development, you may be able to rely upon an exemption listed in the legislation, or there may be a risk to health and safety or flight safety that may satisfy licencing tests. We have also in some occasions been able to obtain disturbance licences in situations where birds had already nested during construction. 

Find out more about details on best practice.

UK Nationwide and Local Service

We are a nationwide company with local bird control teams near you, including the major cities of London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Find your local NBC team for expert advice and costs.