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Baseline surveys for potential hydro schemes

Habitat and protected mammal surveys

Diverse Ecology has been undertaking numerous surveys for potential hydro schemes across Scotland.

These baseline surveys include:

Bird habitat surveys: All birds seen during the walkover survey are noted down and the habitats are assessed to highlight potential species which may be found on site.

Fish habitat surveys: These surveys assess the variety of aquatic habitats present within the study area and to provide general information on the current status of the instream and bankside habitats present.  They aim to provide an insight into the status and locations of spawning gravels and juvenile habitat areas within the watercourses and to define migratory extents for salmon and sea trout. During the surveys, information on substrate type, bank structure and obstructions to fish movement were recorded. General comments on individual stretches of river are recorded to assist in a rapid overview of the survey area.

Otter surveys: An otter survey should be carried out in relation to any hydropower development. Surveys focus on areas of potential impact arising directly from the proposed works, its consequent permanent structures, and areas of indirect impact arising during construction or during subsequent operation, for example the depleted reach of the watercourse.

Protected mammal habitat surveys: These surveys assess the baseline habitats of the survey area in order to give an overview of the habitats in relation to protected mammals such as the badgers, bats, red squirrels,  pine martens, water voles and wild cats. The survey area is swept for any obvious signs of these animals and helps to zone in on areas where further work will be required during the survey season. This helps to reduces costs in the future.

Other surveys have also been carried out depending on SNH requirements such as a marsh fritillary butterfly habitat survey on the Isle of Mull.

 

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