Ornithology Services
The challenge
Wild bird species are protected under a range of national
and international regulations, making ornithology a key
consideration for many developments within marine,
coastal and terrestrial environments. Developments can
significantly impact bird populations in numerous ways,
including via direct mortality (for example from collisions),
disturbance, displacement, loss of habitat or effects on
their prey. Importantly, assessment of such impacts is
required irrespective of whether or not they concern
populations associated with designated sites. The
requirements for assessments involving populations that
are qualifying features of internationally designated sites
(such as Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites) can be
particularly stringent.
Our approach
The impartial and objective advice that our ornithology
experts offer ensures that clients are supported through
the entire development process from conception to
construction and beyond, to cover any operational
monitoring requirements and ultimately decommissioning.
Working in partnership with our clients and wider project
teams, we adopt a robust, science-led, approach to our
advice and services that is underpinned by long-standing
involvement in applied ornithological research and a
thorough understanding of the latest science in the field.
The Royal HaskoningDHV ornithology team aims to:
• Provide specialist technical support and advice
throughout a project life–cycle.
• Identify potential ornithology constraints and consent
risks early in the planning stage.
• Assess and identify suitable means for reducing
potential impacts and, where necessary, devise
appropriate mitigation.
• Design, manage and report on post-consent monitoring
programmes.
• Provide cost-effective advice at all stages and reduce
the risks of adverse financial and commercial effects on
project programmes, delivery and budget.
• Minimise the risks of adverse impacts to important bird
species and populations.
Sector expertise
The experience and skills of the Royal HaskoningDHV team
mean that we are able to deliver an extensive range of
ornithology support services, across a number of sectors
including:
• Renewables (offshore and onshore wind, wave and
tidal)
• Port and harbour developments
• Infrastructure, such as nuclear power stations
• Habitat and species management, including habitat
creation and compensation schemes
• UK and international projects
Our expertise
PHOTO: GRAHAM TARRANT
Our ornithology team includes internationally recognised
experts with strong science backgrounds, as well as
previous experience of working within key stakeholder
organisations and working with statutory and non-
statutory consultees in various capacities.
The team is experienced in providing a wide range of
impact assessments and has detailed knowledge and
understanding of regulatory requirements, legislation,
policy and guidance. With our expertise in survey design,
statistical analyses and modelling, more specialist
requirements – such as those that can arise under certain
post-consent monitoring obligations for example – can be
fulfilled. The high level of technical expertise within the
team provides the capacity to support clients whose
projects face particularly complex challenges, which have
previously included judicial review and public inquiry.
Our Services
As part of Royal HaskoningDHV’s multi-disciplinary
environment team, our ornithology experts work
alongside specialists in ecology, landscape, air quality,
geology, heritage and archaeology, noise and vibration,
traffic and transport, carbon and sustainability, and EIA
and consenting. Whether your projects are UK or
internationally based, we can provide a full range of
royalhaskoningdhv.com
PHOTO: GRAHAM TARRANT
ornithology services that can be tailored to meet your
needs. These include:
• Site appraisal, screening and scoping
• Statutory consultee and stakeholder engagement
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and
Environmental Statements (ES)
• Habitat Regulations Assessment/Appraisal (HRA)
• Desk-based appraisals, assessments and associated
technical reporting,
• Survey and study designs, coordination of data
collection and technical reporting
• Statistical data analyses and modelling
• Monitoring and mitigation strategies
• Subcontractor procurement, coordination and
management
• Expert witness for inquiries and hearings
• Specialist technical reviews and advice, due dilligence
• Development of industry guidance
For further information please contact:
Murray Grant BSc, PhD
Principal Ornithologist
E: murray.grant@rhdhv.com
T: +44 (0)131 561 2271
M: +44 (0)7557 316138