Specialist ecological survey support

Thermal bat emergence and re-entry surveys

Integrated aerial and ground-based thermal surveys for emergence and re-entry, tailored to the structure, its surroundings and the survey objectives.

Drone-mounted thermal cameras give alternative viewpoints and coverage of complex or inaccessible elevations. Ground-based thermal cameras complement them with continuous coverage of selected areas. We can run multiple thermal systems at once on larger or more complex structures. Thermal imaging supports experienced surveyors and professional survey requirements; it doesn't replace them.

Thermal skylark nest detection surveys

Commercial thermal drone surveys that identify and assess potential skylark nest locations in extensive grassland and arable habitats.

Stage 1, night-time detection, identifies and georeferences candidate locations. Stage 2, an early-morning review, assesses thermal and visual observations together and informs any follow-up. Experienced ecological surveyors interpret the results, potential nest locations are kept distinct from confirmed nests, and targeted ground verification can be undertaken where appropriate.

Drone habitat mapping & BNG support

Accurate, high-resolution spatial data that supports your field habitat surveys and Biodiversity Net Gain work.

Drone imagery and LiDAR make it practical to capture large, complex or hard-to-access sites in detail, and give a dated visual record of the baseline. We integrate this with field survey findings: habitat classification, condition assessment and BNG calculations remain based on surveys in the field by qualified ecologists, with aerial data supporting mapping accuracy and coverage.

GIS analysis & ecological mapping

Spatial analysis, suitability modelling and survey visualisation for consultancies.

We turn survey results into clear maps and GIS layers: where the habitat is, how species are likely to use it, and how that relates to the scheme. Modelled outputs support, and are checked against, field evidence.

LiDAR & photogrammetry

Terrain, canopy and structure data and 3D models that show habitat context and site constraints.

Useful for river corridors, woodland edges and hedgerow networks, and for showing clients and planners a site they may never walk. See the 3D technical demonstration

Protected species survey support

Extra survey capacity and technical support when your team needs it.

• Bat sound analysis
• Survey design and mitigation advice
• Report writing and technical review, from Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs) to Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs)
• Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) for bats

Research & development collaboration

We're open to research partnerships on drones in ecology.

Current interests include thermal survey workflows, computer vision for detecting animals in thermal footage, habitat analysis and new survey methods. We like applied projects that connect ecology, technology and spatial analysis. Read about our method development