Reptile Surveys

Background

Within the UK there are six species of native terrestrial reptile.

• Common (or viviparous) lizard
• Grass snake
• Slow worm
• Adder
• Smooth snake
• Sand lizard

All reptile species are partially protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) against intentional killing and injury.

Rare reptiles such as the smooth snake and sand lizard receive additional legal protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). These species are also protected against deliberate disturbance, taking/destruction of eggs, damage/destruction of a breeding site or resting place, and obstruction of access to a place of shelter / disturbance of these species in such a place.

The distribution of smooth snake and sand lizard in the UK is generally restricted to the south coast of England (particularly Surrey, Dorset, and Hampshire), although sand lizards are also found in coastal habitats of Merseyside and Wales. More common amphibians are generally widespread throughout the UK.

Reptile surveys are required if development proposals could potentially impact on suitable habitat or directly impact the species themselves.

Timing

Surveys should be undertaken at an appropriate time of year when reptiles are active and not hibernating. Reptile surveys are typically undertaken within April and May or September in suitable conditions. The weather at the time of the survey should be warm and sunny, but ideally below 16°C.

Methodology

The standard reptile survey methodology involves direct observation and the use of artificial refuges which are placed around the target area. The refugia are made of tin or roofing felt which warm up in the sun providing an attractive refuge for basking and shelter for reptile species.

Refuges are typically concentrated around suitable reptile habitats, such as grassland, heathland, coppice woodland, and mosaic habitats such as allotments, railway embankments, and disused quarries, amongst others. As well as direct observation, reptiles can also be identified from shed skins (sloughs), if found.

A minimum of seven visits should be undertaken checking the refugia and undertaking a visual search of the survey site, with an additional visit a month prior to the surveys commence to set the refugia and allow them to ‘bed in’. Should a population estimate be required, additional surveys may be necessary. Once a population estimate is established a suitable mitigation strategy can be developed

Following the survey

Report

We will provide a report, suitable for submission with a planning application, detailing the results of our survey and any required mitigation as soon as possible following the survey, however; should you have a specific date for submission of a planning application we will do our utmost to accommodate this.

Mitigation Measures and Licensing

Mitigation measures will be dependent on the nature of any planned works, the species of reptiles present and how they are using the site. Our Land Management team are experienced in implementing a variety of mitigation measures.

In some cases, in order for works to proceed, the reptiles may need to be moved from the development site to a suitable receptor site. This involves surveys to find a suitable receptor site, followed by a period of trapping and removal from the site to be developed. Reptile proof fencing may be required to prevent the species from returning to the development site. Monitoring of the translocated population will also be required and it is possible that some habitat creation and improvement at the receptor site may be required.

Smooth snake and sand lizard are European Protected Species (EPS), and as such any works with potential to impact these species would likely require an EPS mitigation licence issued by Natural England.