2 Methodology 2.1 Breeding birds

2 Methodology

2.0 Flora

An Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey was carried out on 12^th and 18^th July 2007 and covered the proposed scheme area plus the surrounding area within ~30m. Habitats found were identified using the standard Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology (JNCC 2003) with target notes made to describe features of interest. Figure 1 illustrates the location of the various habitats present, target notes are presented in Appendix 1 and a plant species list is included at Appendix 2.

2.1 Breeding birds

The breeding bird survey involved four survey visits, in suitable weather conditions just after dawn or before dusk (see Table 1), based on the methodology described in Bibby et al 2000. The surveys covered the scheme area plus the surrounding land within ~100m. In accordance with the standard methodology, during each visit all field boundaries were walked all bird observations were recorded on a scale map using standard British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) notation. The results of the surveys were then subject to territory mapping analysis in accordance with the methodology described in Bibby et al 2000. Unfortunately, the survey visits could not be spread throughout the breeding season, as recommended in Bibby et al 2000; and it is therefore possible that some species, e.g. early-breeders, may have been under-recorded or over-looked during the surveys. Nonetheless, it is considered that the surveys provide a good indication of the ornithological value of the study area during the breeding season.

Specialist surveys for barn owl Tyto alba were undertaken based on the methodology described in Gilbert et al 1998. This involved searching potential nest/roost sites within ~100m of the scheme area for signs of barn owl such as pellets, faeces or the birds themselves. Subsequent to the day-time searches of potential nest/roost sites, dusk emergence surveys were undertaken at suitable sites during the first and third breeding bird surveys. Any observations of barn owls during the breeding bird survey and other surveys were also recorded.

Table 1: Breeding bird survey dates, times and conditions

Date	Time	Weather conditions
10^th July 2007	19:00 – 22:00	Dry, 14°C
11^th July 2007	06:00 – 07:45	Dry, overcast, 15°C
18^th July 2007	19:20 – 21:30	Dry, 19°C
19^th July 2007	06:00 – 08:00	Dry, 14°C

2.2 Water vole

Specialist surveys for water vole Arvicola terrestris covered all potentially suitable watercourses within ~250m of the scheme area on 10^th and 11^th July 2007 in order to provide an update following surveys in 2003. The surveys were based on the methodology described in Strachan and Moorhouse (2006) and involved detailed searches for field signs such as droppings, latrines, feeding stations, burrows, footprints and runs.

2.3 Otter

In conjunction with the surveys for water vole, all potentially suitable watercourses within 250m of the scheme area were subject to detailed searches for signs of otter such as spraint, feeding remains and footprints based on the methodology described in Chanin (2003), paying particular attention to likely sprainting sites such as around bridges.

2.4 Red squirrel

Surveys for red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris were based on the methodology described in Practical Techniques for Surveying and Monitoring Squirrels (Forestry Commission 2001) and covered all potentially suitable woodland within ~250m of the scheme area on two occasions (see Table 2). This involved slowly walking the perimeter and interior of the woodlands with stops every few minutes. The woodland canopy, tree trunks and woodland floor were searched for red squirrels, dreys and squirrel feeding signs (e.g. stripped and discarded pine cones).

Table 2 shows the survey dates, times and prevailing weather conditions at the two main woodlands within the study area; Kelhead Moss Plantation and Poppinwell Wood. Particular attention was paid to the area west the access road leading to Nether Strenries during the Kelhead Moss Plantation survey, as this area was considered more likely to support red squirrels due to the dominance of Scots pine and anecdotal evidence (from the occupier of Nether Stenries) suggesting that red squirrels have been seen at this location.

Table 2: Dates, times and conditions during red squirrel transect surveys

Location	Kelhead Moss Plantation (0.3ha) NY118709			Poppinwell Wood (2.2 ha) NY126705
Date	11^th July 2007	12^th July 2007	18^th July 2007	11^th July 2007	12^th July 2007	18^th July 2007
Times	06:00 – 07:25	07:00 – 08:30	19:30 – 20:30	07:35 – 08:45	08:40 – 10:00	20:40 – 21:30
Weather conditions	Dry, no wind, cloud 7/8, temp ~10°C - ~15°C	Constant rain, overcast, wind SW2, temp ~14°C	Dry, cloud 2/8, temp ~19°C	Dry, no wind, cloud 7/8, temp ~10°C - ~15°C	Constant rain, overcast, wind SW2, temp ~14°C	Dry, cloud 2/8, temp ~19°C

2.5 Bats

Potential bat roosts within ~50m of the scheme area were identified during the survey in December 2006 (see Table 3). Specialist bat surveys in 2007 involved daytime searches of these potential roost sites for signs of bats such as droppings, staining and bat corpses; followed by dusk and dawn emergence surveys at these locations aimed at locating roost sites if present.

The dusk and dawn surveys involved experienced bat surveyors positioned at potential roost sites, in accordance with the methodology outlined in The Bat Mitigation Guidelines (Mitchell-Jones 2004). The surveys were undertaken during suitable weather conditions using hand-held heterodyne / frequency-division bat detectors (model: Duet Bat-Box). Survey dates, times and prevailing weather conditions are summarised in Table 4 below.

Table 3: Potential of features within 30m of the Proposed Scheme to support bat roosts

Target note (see Figure 1)	Feature	Roost potential
2	Mature beech tree	Medium
4	Row of mature beech trees along southern edge of woodland	High
14	Mixed plantation woodland	Medium
15	Mixed plantation woodland	Medium
24	Seven mature ash trees around garden edge	Medium
26	Stenriesgate bungalow and outbuildings	Medium
28	Two mature beech trees	Medium/high
37	Several beech trees and an oak tree	Low/medium

Table 4: Conditions during bat dusk emergence and dawn surveys

Location (Target Note number as described in 2007 ES)	Target Note 4 Mature Beech Tree Fagus sylvatica Along the northern edge of Breamoss wood NY106716	Target Note 26 Disused bungalow at Streniesgate NY123706	Target Note 35 Mature sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus At the western tip of Kelhead moss plantation NY129701	Target Note 37 Mature beeches and oak Quercus robur Nether Strenries access road NY126704
Date Surveyed	10^th July 2007	5^th May 2007 & 6^th May 2007	5^th May 2007	4^th May 2007
Times	21:10 – 22:35 Sunset 21:35	03:45 – 04:45 Sunrise 04:44 03:15 – 04:55 Sunrise 04:43	21:15 – 22:45 Sunset 21:37	21:05 – 23:05 Sunset 21:36
Weather Conditions	Dry, no wind, 65% cloud cover Start temp 15°C Finish temp10°C	Dry, no wind, 100% cloud cover. Start temp ~5°C Finish temp.~7°C both mornings.	Dry, no wind 100% cloud cover. Start temp ~12°C Finish temp.~8°C	Dry, light wind, 0% cloud cover. Start temp ~13°C Finish temp.~11°C