Invertebrate Surveys and Butterfly Surveys

EMEC Ecology can carry out a variety of invertebrate and butterfly surveys both to inform development proposals and management plans. Our surveyors have experince of undertaking surveys throughout the East Midlands with recent projects undertaken in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Invertebrate Surveys

The aims of invertebrate surveys may include obtaining a general picture of the character and interest of the invertebrate fauna, 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.

Butterfly Surveys

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 extremely sensitive to subtle changes in habitat or climate. Therefore, butterfly surveys can assist in determining the success of management on a site and may influence future management of the site.

How to Book an Invertebrate or Butterfly Survey

EMEC Ecology work with many different clients from large council projects to small residential development sites. Each survey will therefore be specific to a site and the costs will vary accordingly. EMEC Ecology will be happy to provide a quotation for a butterfly or other type of invertebrate survey that will be both efficient and cost effective to the site specifics. Reports are produced as soon as possible however should you have a specific date for submission with a planning application we will do our utmost to accommodate this.

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.

Survey Methodology

Invertebrate Survey

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

• Sweep-netting of herbaceous vegetation
• Beating of woody vegetation
• Sieving of leaf litter
• Direct search of important invertebrate habitats, including dead wood, bare ground, beneath stones and discarded objects, and known invertebrate host-plants.
• Collection of individual insects from flowers

Samples can then be identified in the field or preserved and analysed following completion of the survey work. Additionally, easy to recognise species, such as butterflies and some species of dragonfly, can be identified in flight.

Butterfly Survey

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

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 3-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.

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.