OTTER, WATER VOLE
AND HAZEL DORMOUSE

Lutra lutra

Otters are strictly protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) and are therefore given the highest level of protection. The legislation makes it an offence to kill, injure or disturb an otter and to destroy any place used for rest or shelter by an otter. Additional protection is also provided by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000. Otters are also listed as a Priority Species in the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

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Surveys: Otter surveys can be undertaken throughout the year.

The survey will be carried out by an experienced ecologist and an assistant following the standard methodology. This involves a search for; droppings (spraints), footprints, feeding remains, lying-up areas, holts (permanent places of rest and shelter) and areas of habitat considered suitable for otters.

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WATER VOLE

The water vole receives legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

This legislation protects against deliberate killing or injuring and sale, as well as intentional damage, destruction or obstruction of the access to any structure or place which water voles use for shelter or protection, or disturbance to water voles while they are using such a place.

It is therefore important that any works directly affecting or within close proximity to suitable water bodies (streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wet ditches) are preceded by a water vole survey to determine presence or absence of this species and/or any specific mitigation that will be required by the Local Planning Authority.

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Surveys

Habitat Assessment

As part of every water vole survey, the habitat suitability for this species will be assessed. This will include a search for foraging resources, the suitability of the banks for burrowing and the presence of adequate cover / shelter.

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Surveying for Water Vole Evidence

A water vole survey involves searching the banks of the watercourse for evidence of water vole, including; burrows, latrines, footprints, runs in the vegetation, grazed 'lawns', feeding remains and actual sightings.

HAZEL DORMOUSE

Like the otter, the hazel dormouse is afforded both UK and International protection making it an offence to; deliberately disturb, capture, injure or kill them, damage or destroy their breeding or resting places, disturb or obstruct access to any place used by them for shelter, possess, or sell a wild dormouse.

Hazel dormice can be affected by various activities including; woodland and hedgerow management, the removal of hedgerows, woodland clearance, noise and lighting. In the majority of cases sensitive management can help prevent harm to dormice or their habitats, however if this cannot be avoided, a mitigation licence from the appropriate authority will be required.

Surveys

Prior to undertaking a hazel dormouse survey a preliminary habitat assessment will be undertaken and historical records consulted to determine the potential for dormice to be present.

A combination of the following methods may then be utilised in order to survey for the presence of hazel dormouse

• Nut searches

• Searching for wild nests

• Nest-tube and nest-box surveys

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