Breeding Bird Surveys

Practical survey advice and clear reports to support your planning application.

If your project could affect nesting habitats or breeding birds, we can help you understand what assessment is needed and how it fits into your plans. Crossman Ecology provides breeding bird surveys and practical recommendations for developers, architects, planning consultants and landowners.

Send us your site details, plans and any comments from the council. We’ll explain the next step and provide a clear quotation.

For a free quote, use our enquiry form or call 01761 233414.

Do I need a breeding bird survey?

A breeding bird survey may be needed where development could affect important bird habitats or species. This can include housing schemes, renewable energy projects and changes to land containing grassland, scrub, hedgerows, woodland or wetland.

The requirement is often identified through a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal or comments from the local planning authority. The appropriate survey depends on the habitats, likely species and proposed works. We review these together before recommending a programme.

When can breeding bird surveys be carried out?

Surveys generally involve repeat visits between March and early July, timed to cover the birds likely to use your site. Visits are usually undertaken early in the morning, in suitable weather, when birds are easier to see and hear. Some species need additional visits at different times.

Contact us early in the design process so that the survey season can be built into your programme. If you are approaching a planning deadline, we’ll explain what can realistically be completed and whether further seasonal work is likely to be needed.

How our breeding bird surveys work

1. Understand your site and proposals

We review the development plans, available ecological information and relevant bird records to establish the scope of work.

2. Carry out the surveys

We record the birds seen and heard, their locations and behaviour, including evidence of breeding. Repeat visits help us understand how birds use the site across the season.

3. Explain the findings and next steps

We assess the implications for your proposals and prepare a report with practical recommendations to support planning and project design.

What will I receive?

Your quotation will set out the survey scope and reporting. Depending on the agreed brief, the report will include:

The survey methods, timing and any relevant limitations.
The species recorded, evidence of breeding and maps of important activity or territories where appropriate.
An assessment of the site’s importance for birds and the likely effects of the development.
Recommendations for habitat retention, work timing, mitigation and suitable enhancements.

What happens if breeding birds are found?

Finding breeding birds does not automatically prevent development. The implications depend on the species, the habitats they use and the proposed changes. We work with your project team to identify practical ways forward, which may include retaining important vegetation, adjusting the layout or timing works appropriately.

Where an active nest could be affected, the relevant work may need to wait until it is no longer in use. Replacement planting or nest boxes may form part of a wider strategy where suitable, but do not permit damage to an active nest.

Frequently asked questions

Is a nesting bird check the same as a breeding bird survey?

No. A breeding bird survey gathers evidence across the season to inform planning and assess impacts. A nesting bird check is a targeted inspection shortly before particular works, such as vegetation clearance. It does not replace a seasonal survey where one is needed for planning.

How many visits will I need?

We set the number and timing of visits using current guidance and the needs of the site. Six visits are the starting point in widely used development survey guidance; a different level of effort needs a sound justification. We’ll explain the proposed scope in your quotation.

Are birds only protected during spring and summer?

No. Wild birds are legally protected, and nests are protected while in use or being built, whenever that occurs. Certain species and nests have additional protection. Seasonal dates alone do not establish that works are safe to proceed.

How much does a breeding bird survey cost?

The fee depends on site size, habitat complexity, access, the survey programme and reporting requirements. Send us a site plan and a brief description of the proposals for a quotation covering the work your project needs.

Discuss your project with Crossman Ecology

We combine an understanding of planning and development with clear ecological advice. Our aim is to give you a realistic survey programme, an understandable report and recommendations your project team can use.