Example Data Search

Example search map
Example search map

A typical data search report for an environmental consultant will contain

  • A map showing the searched area and site boundaries
  • Citations for the statutory and non-statutory sites, which each includes a close-up map
  • A map indicating known habitats in the search area
  • A spreadsheet of species records
  • A cover letter

These will normally be zipped together and sent by email.

Defining the search area

The search area can be specified as:

  • A circle around a point, with a radius of your choice, or
  • A list of grid squares, or
  • A linear route, with a corridor width of your choice, or
  • An arbitrary shape.

A map should be provided for either of the last two categories.

Sites to be reported

Example search citation
Example site citation
(PDF here, supplied as Word)

The requested sites to be reported can be any combination of the following selections:

  • Statutory sites
    (National Nature Reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest; Local Nature Reserves)
  • Non-statutory sites
    (County Wildlife Sites; District Wildlife Sites; Roadside Nature Reserves; Local Geological Sites)
  • Other: Client-specified sites of interest

All statutory and non-statutory sites have pre-prepared citations containing the most current information available. Species lists for individual sites can be prepared, but these require extra processing and will therefore normally incur an additional charge. We can search for information about other types of site, but as these are not routine, will also usually increase the cost.

Species to be reported

Example search spreadsheet
Example
species spreadsheet
(PDF here, supplied as Excel)

Species records can be requested for any combination of the following categories:

  • UK protected species
    (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedules 1, 5 & 8; Conservation of Habitats and Species Regs 2017; Protection of Badgers Act)
  • Notable Species
    (NERC Act Section 41; UKBAP; Local BAP; Bird lists; Red Lists; Rare, Scarce and Notable species; Species of local concern)
  • Wider legislation species
    (Bern Convention A1-A3; Birds Directive (except Annex 2); CITES; Habitats Directive; Convention on Migratory Species (EUROBATS, AEWA))
  • Ancient/Veteran trees
    (Ancient Tree Hunt data from the Woodland Trust)
  • FEP species
    (Farm Environment Plan Guidance 007 Tables 2 and 3)
  • Invasive aliens etc.
    (Wildlife and Countryside Act Schedule 9 (amended 2010))
  • Other: Client-specified species of interest

Each species record will be tagged with relevant status summaries from the above categories. The spreadsheet will, in addition to a grid reference, contain Centre X, Centre Y and Resolution fields for easy GIS importation.

Habitat Data

Example habitat map
Example habitat map

We hold a considerable amount of information about UK BAP Priority Habitats and a map showing habitats that might be found in the search area will usually be provided. This should be treated as indicative only because habitat varies according the scale of observation and also changes with time. Clients are advised to perform their own habitat survey if this is important to them.

GIS Data

Species, habitat and site-boundary data can be provided in GIS format (MapInfo Tab or Arc Shape) on request. (They are not routinely provided). As site and habitat boundaries are derived from Ordnance Survey data the client must have a valid OS licence for the search area and its number must be supplied with the request.

Custom Searches

If none of the standard options suit your requirements please contact us and we'll be happy to discuss a customized data search for you.