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Dipper Ecology

Ecological Consultancy and Environmental Services

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Professional | Personable | Reliable

GENERAL SERVICES

There are a number of frequently requested services which comprise the typical, overarching surveys and deliverable a client may require ahead of planning or development. Dipper Ecology are highly experienced in providing such services

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SPECIES
SURVEYS

We have experience in survey, ecology and mitigation for numerous protected species. We hold protected species licences for smooth snake, sand lizard and great crested newt as well as mitigation license experience with otter, badger, great crested newt, smooth snake, sand lizard and water vole

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ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES

Whether ahead of, during or post-development, Dipper Ecology are able to provide a number of services which promote a sensitive approach to protected species and biodiversity on the whole

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ABOUT US

Dipper Ecology Ltd is a consultancy providing services regarding species and habitat surveys, associated technical deliverables, mitigation, environmental management, and pre-planning advice for a wide range of clients.

Directors Luke Taylor and Steve Price have worked within various ecological and environmental sectors over a cumulative 15 years, aggregating a number of key skills and specialisms.

We strive to deliver a professional, concise, and reliable service that aims to safeguard and enhance our natural world without impeding the need for human development.

We uphold the values of collaborative working and pride ourselves on delivering professional and effective services and offering pragmatic and innovative solutions

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CONTACT

Dipper have worked more with badgers in the last six months than we ever have before. Bait marking, sett monitoring, ECoW, surveys and mitigation. In the absence of being able to use any project camera footage, enjoy these urban badgers from behind my garden in Birmingham. We’ve got one male with some tasty looking wounds on his rump, likely from territorial disputes with other males, and one very healthy looking female, who treats us to a scent mark before trotting off. #ecology #mitigation #badgers #backyardbadgers @steveprice1989

Throughout September and October, Dipper conducted bait marking for badgers in Gloucestershire. There’s no better way to get an appreciation for the movement and habits of badgers. Also no better way to ensure syrup and sticky peanuts get everywhere. @steveprice1989 #ecology #mitigation

As November approaches, it’s time for Dipper Ecologists to hang up the snake hook and resist lifting up logs, mats and rocks, if we can. Happy hibernating, reptiles and amphibians. See you in the spring! @steveprice1989 #ecology #mitigation

We’ve been busy Dippers this summer. Reptiles and amphibians a-plenty, dormice, birds, badgers, red squirrels, otters, water vole and more time spent in leaky waders than is good for anyone #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

We’ve been surveying badgers all across the midlands over the past couple of weeks. Arable farmland, golf courses and A-road verges. Always lovely to see them make a home of somewhere, and for landowners and clients to be respectful of their occupation and protected status #ecology #mitigation #badger @steveprice1989

Luke and Steve of Dipper Ecology have been volunteering on reptile surveys for @arc.trust.official since 2015. February saw the close of one project, Snakes in the Heather, focussing on smooth snakes in the New Forest. Some fresher faced Dippers even featured in the closing presentation. March saw the commencement of The Cannock Chase National Landscape Adder Conservation Programme. Here’s to continuing the best way to spend a spring and summer for years to come. #ecology #mitigation #amphibians @steveprice1989

Just some of the hibernating critters we’ve removed from harm’s way during works over the past few months. The stag beetle larvae was of particular importance. Their presence in the area was previously unknown. Now we know they’re in the area, they can be afforded the full protection and safeguarding that they’re due. #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

Looking back fondly on October. Two days in glorious Sicily produced four reptile species including a very tetchy, bitey western whip snake.
Back to reality now however, with week long stints of blustery Autumnal days out on site in Norfolk and Hertfordshire. The ecological myth of ‘quiet winter periods’ doesn’t look to be rearing its head any time soon. #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

As a break between our hectic work schedule, the Dipper boys took the opportunity for some training. We spent three fantastic days on the Isle of Wight on a @ptes_org Dormouse Ecology, Conservation and Woodland Management training course. Great people, great course, great cause and even better dormice. @steveprice1989 #ecology #mitigation

Sand lizards, common lizards, adders and tonnes of slow-worms. More our favourite hobby than work when we’re surveying for our scaly mates. #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

We’ve been busy with bats, reptiles and otters, but found time in between to be distracted by domesticated animals. Whether it’s trying to survey amongst a herd of cows or finding Eddie the exhausted racing pigeon a home for the night. #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

Had three brown long-eared bats and one common pipistrelle emerge right in front of myself and Steve last week. We’ve spent some years doing bat surveys and never had such an intimate view of an emergence @steveprice1989 #mitigation #ecology

An absolutely jam packed couple of weeks. As well as smooth snake and bat surveys we’ve had midnight slow-worms, a tanner beetle rarity and hobby and kingfisher mitigation monitoring. #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

Life on the farm. Finishing up our final week of eDNA surveys for GCN for the District Level Licensing scheme. Whilst between ponds we observed kestrels and barn owls nesting in the same hay stack, as well as seeing a 20 minute old calf take his first wobbly steps #mitigation #ecology #districtlevellicensing @fwagsouthwest @naturalengland @steveprice1989

Slow-worms, great crested newt efts, common toads and common frogs. All welcomed incidental sightings during our bat and eDNA surveys over the past couple of weeks! @fwagsouthwest @steveprice1989 #ecology #mitigation #districtlevellicensing #greatcrestednewt

Since April 2022 Dipper Ecology have been conducting eDNA surveys for great crested newt as part of the District Level Licensing Scheme. So great to see such tangible habitat improvements so soon after the ponds have been created. Heartening to spend time with such conscientious, ecologically-driven landowners and farmers too. @naturalengland @fwagsouthwest #districtlevellicensing #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

How do we relax on holiday at Dipper? Go to Shetland and look for otters and birds. Still, not bad as far as busman’s holidays go! #ecology #mitigation #otter @oldhaatrust @steveprice1989 @seabirdsandseals

As reptiles emerged out of hibernation in March, so too did Dipper’s favourite pastime - looking for reptiles. We’ve seen common lizards, slow-worms, grass snake and adders. Won’t be long before we get our rare species too! Throw into the mix water vole surveys and getting up close and claustrophobic looking at otter holts, and it can only mean that Dipper really are living their best lives at the moment. #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

Dipper have had some good birdy encounters the last month. A stand off with a female sparrowhawk, our first ever lesser spotted woodpecker and what must have been a very uncomfortable pellet to pass for an unfortunate barn owl. #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

Dipper Ecology have been getting our tree climbing equipment inspected and assured by a qualified LOLER inspector at @betel.uk since summer 2022. Amongst so many other incredible projects, those at Birmingham Betel are currently rehabilitating homeless people after their complex struggle during the COVID pandemic. Lovely people, top professionals and utterly selfless #betelofbritain

Some fantastic otter field signs on the Worcestershire Stour during resting site monitoring yesterday. A sand bar mid-channel highlighted the size difference between mink and otter prints. We also identified a castling beneath a bridge, where otters scrape and mound material to elevate their various deposits. @steveprice1989 #ecology #otters #mitigation

Happy new year from Dipper Ecology. Best way to stave off January blues is to make the best of lunch breaks. This week we’ve been recording otter activity on Worcestershire’s canals and reservoirs! Just doing what we can to keep fresh between protected species licensing and reporting! #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

We worked extensively with @naturalengland this year on the DLL for great crested newts scheme.
Even at such an early stage we were able to see how much the scheme benefitted newts and other wildlife. It can only get better from here!
Check out the full video from Natural England for everything you need to know! https://youtu.be/LNc8_OJKiLw #greatcrestednewts #ecology #mitigation

We’ve been pleasingly up the wall since our last post. West Midlands badgers, Dorset sand lizards, Essex barn owls, Nottinghamshire beavers and Worcestershire bats have all kept us busy. As such, one half of the Dipper team is taking a well earned break in France. He’s still seeking out wildlife at every opportunity though. #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

Dipper Ecology have been granted three sand lizard licenses by @natreswales this week. Luke Taylor – Personal Survey Licence, Steve Price – Personal Survey Licence and Dipper Ecology - Company Possession Licence. We feel fortunate to now be able to work with sand lizards which are thriving in Wales more so than they have for decades #naturalresourceswales #ecology #sandlizard @steveprice1989

Last week Dipper flitted between Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Devon accompanied by 5 species of reptile including the newest generations of viviparous lizard. This week brings otter holts and large scale reptile mitigation strategies #herpetology #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989

Our penultimate week of eDNA sampling for the GCN District Level Licensing scheme has come to a close. Coastal Somerset provided some stunning amphibian ponds and some real interesting incidental finds. Might have got the grid reference wrong for the one pond though. #greatcrestednewt #ecology #mitigation @steveprice1989 @fwagsouthwest @naturalengland

As per the latest bird survey guidelines, at least one of the six surveys should be undertaken in the hours shortly before and after dusk. It can be a valuable way of recording species such as nightingale, grasshopper warbler, owls and nightjar which may be less detectable during daytime visits. Thanks a lot for the work, and the good times @zebra_ecology #ecology #mitigation #birdsurveys @steveprice1989

We provided Habitat Suitability Index and eDNA surveys for another 18 ponds on the District Level Licensing for GCN scheme this week. Heartening to see amphibians already thriving within the ponds, as well as other protected species such as otter, water vole and marsh harrier moving in @fwagsouthwest @cellmarkedna @naturalengland @steveprice1989 #mitigation #districtlevellicensing #greatcrestednewt #ecology

Dipper Ecology are half way through their contract conducting Habitat Suitability Index and eDNA testing on behalf of @fwagsouthwest for the Natural England District Level Licensing scheme for GCN. So validating being able to work for such a worthwhile cause! @steveprice1989 #districtlevellicensing @naturalengland #mitigation #greatcrestednewt

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Ecological Consultancy and Environmental Services

GENERAL SERVICES

SPECIES SURVEYS

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

ABOUT US

CONTACT

​

SPECIES
SURVEYS

ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES