Reptile Survey and Mitigation

Reptile Survey and Mitigation

We undertake proportionate reptile surveys and prepare practical mitigation for projects affecting grassland, heathland, scrub, brownfield land and other suitable reptile habitats.

All native reptiles receive legal protection, although the level of protection differs between species.

Common lizard, slow-worm, grass snake and adder are protected against intentional killing and injury. Sand lizard and smooth snake receive additional protection, including protection of their breeding sites and resting places.

Reptile surveys may be required where suitable habitat could be lost, fragmented, disturbed or isolated by a project.

Survey design

Survey requirements are determined by:

• Species potentially present
• Habitat extent and quality
• Existing records
• Location and geographic range
• Survey objective
• Proposed impacts
• Time of year and weather
• Need to understand presence, distribution or relative importance

Survey methods may include:

• Habitat suitability assessment
• Visual searching
• Artificial refuges
• Checking existing refuges
• Targeted searches of basking areas
• Species-specific survey methods
• Repeat monitoring

Surveys are undertaken during suitable seasonal and weather conditions.

Mitigation hierarchy

Capture and translocation should not be treated as the automatic response to reptile presence.

We first consider whether impacts can be reduced through:

• Habitat retention
• Design changes
• Timing of works
• Phased habitat manipulation
• Sensitive vegetation clearance
• Creation of habitat connections
• Retention of refuges and hibernation features

Where capture and translocation are necessary, we prepare a detailed strategy addressing capture effort, receptor-site suitability, animal welfare, habitat management and monitoring.