Invertebrate Surveys and Butterfly Surveys

EMEC Ecology can carry out invertebrate surveys for a number or reasons, including informing development proposals and management plans, to search for and identify specific species or to provide a very useful indication of the effectiveness of habitat management strategies. Our surveyors have experience of a variety of survey techniques and have carried out surveys throughout the East Midlands, with recent invertebrate projects undertaken in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Invertebrate Surveys

There are over 30,000 species of invertebrate in Britain, many more than all the other animals and plants combined. Many invertebrates are in decline, are poor at moving into new locations and are extremely sensitive to changes in their habitat or environment, all of which makes the invertebrate diversity of a site an extremely useful indicator of the habitat quality of a site or the success of a management plan.

The aims of invertebrate surveys may include obtaining a general picture of the character and interest of the invertebrate fauna, to search for or assess the potential of the site to support specific protected species, or to gauge the wider invertebrate potential of the site from the recorded fauna and from site characteristics. The results can be used to provide recommendations for management which could maintain or enhance invertebrate interest.

Due to the many invertebrate groups to survey, the often large differences in invertebrate diversity between habitats and the many survey techniques available, invertebrate surveys are highly specific to the site in question. Our surveyors can carry out surveys using many different established survey methods and EMEC Ecology will work with our clients to tailor the surveys required to suit the site and the information desired from the work. EMEC Ecology can carry out surveys to meet the criteria for common standards monitoring (CSM) of invertebrate sites/species procedures set out by the JNCC and Natural England.

Invertebrate Survey Methodology

Terrestrial invertebrates can be sampled by a range of active collecting methods, including:

• Direct observation. Active and visible species such as butterflies, dragonflies and bumblebees may be observed and identified in the field during a walk over the site.
• Hand searching: a search of important invertebrate habitats, including dead wood, bare ground, beneath stones and discarded objects, and common invertebrate host-plants.
• Sweep-netting of flying insects and herbaceous vegetation.
• Beating of woody vegetation. Dislodged invertebrates are caught on a large fabric tray and quickly collected.
• Trapping. A variety of traps can be used, including pitfall, malaise, flight intercept, sticky and light traps. Bait traps can be used for butterflies and other insects attracted to fruits and sugar.
• Sieving of leaf litter.
• Extraction of insects from leaf litter using Kempson extractors or water funnels.

Samples can then be identified in the field or preserved and analysed following completion of the survey work. Identification is usually possible in house, but if necessary EMEC Ecology will send off samples for identification by recognised experts in different taxonomic groups. In addition, as part of the Association of Wildlife Trusts Consultancies, (AWTC) EMEC Ecology has access to the collective expertise of a large group of ecologists and experienced invertebrate surveyors for assistance with identification.

Aquatic Invertebrate Survey

Aquatic invertebrate surveying is carried out with standard methods used in the National Pond Survey. This gives three minutes "net in water" sampling time and a further one minute searching for aquatic invertebrates that might be missed by netting, for example by looking under logs for leeches, or scanning the water surface for whirligig beetles. The duration of each sweep within the three minute limit is left to the discretion of the sampler. In the National Pond Survey, surveyors subdivide the pond into "meso-habitats" and divide the sampling time equally between them.

Mitigation Recommendations

Following the invertebrate survey results, specific advice suitable for the proposed works and the species found can be provided. This may include advice on suitable planting schemes in order to encourage specific species or specific management regimes and timings of the work.

Butterfly Surveys

Butterflies are popular and attractive insects, and also a highly visible addition to any wildlife area. Successful management to encourage butterflies onto a site provides obvious and enjoyable benefits in conservation or recreation areas. Several butterfly species are listed as priority species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). This list includes those species designated as priorities for national conservation strategies.

Butterflies are generally considered to be good indicator species, as they are particularly sensitive to subtle changes in habitat or climate, therefore butterfly surveys are a straightforward and very useful tool in determining the success of management on a site and influencing future management of the site. EMEC Ecology are experienced in carrying out butterfly and day flying moth surveys, including long term site monitoring, and providing and overseeing management recommendations to enhance butterfly diversity and site quality.

Butterfly Survey Methodology

Butterfly surveys are usually carried out by walking a set number of transects. EMEC Ecology uses the method which forms the basis of the UK's Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (BMS).

This involves the surveyor counting the numbers of each species of butterfly seen 2.5m either side and 5m in front whilst walking at a steady pace along the transect in weather suitable for butterfly activity. This has been shown to be an accurate method of assessing change in butterfly distributions and population size over time.

How to Book an Invertebrate or Butterfly Survey

EMEC Ecology work with many different clients from large council projects to small residential development sites, and with the variety of methods available to survey for invertebrates each survey will be specific to a site and the costs will therefore vary accordingly. EMEC Ecology will be happy to provide a quotation and methodology for a butterfly or other type of invertebrate survey that will be both efficient and cost effective to the site specifics.

If you require a quotation please send an email to us at mail@emec-ecology.co.uk including any site plans that you have available (or details and photographs of the site if applicable), along with your name and contact details. Should you wish to contact us at the office please call 0115 9644828.

Invertebrate Surveys Completed by EMEC Ecology

EMEC Ecology's staff have carried out invertebrate surveys nationwide including counties in the East Midlands.

Recent Project Completed by EMEC Ecology Have Included:

Invertebrate Surveys at Sandy Banks Nature Reserve and Hucknall Road Walkway in Nottingham - Nottingham City Council

Invertebrate surveys were carried out at the above sites in order to gain baseline data on the species present within the site. A variety of sampling methods were used in order to gain as much data as possible and notes were also collected on the habitats present in order to determine if there was a link between invertebrates and habitats.

Butterfly Surveys at Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station on the Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Border

In line with the company biodiversity monitoring, EMEC Ecology were commissioned to carry out butterfly surveys on land surrounding the power station. The particular aim of the project was to determine the presence or absence of dingy skipper and grizzled skipper, which are both listed as priority species on the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring at Longleat Forest and Sherwood Forest - Center Parcs

EMEC Ecology carried out annual aquatic invertebrate monitoring at the Center Parcs villages in Longleat Forest, Wiltshire and Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. The surveys aimed to identify whether any invertebrates that are nationally rare were present and to suggest management options to maximise the wildlife potential of the water bodies.

Butterfly Monitoring Surveys - Boots Site, Nottingham

EMEC Ecology undertakes annual monitoring of the Boots site in Beeston to determine the success of the grassland managment at the site. Butterfly diversity at the site is high, with up to sixteen species of butterfly having been recorded.

Dragonfly Survey - Near Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire

A dragonfly survey was undertaken at a site near Newark-on-Trent to determine if the locally rare golden-ringed dragonfly was present within the vicinity of proposed floodbank works.

Marsh Fritillary Survey - Development Site, South Wales

EMEC Ecology undertook a habitat assessment of a grassland site in south Wales to determine the likely presence of the specially protected marsh fritillary butterfly.