Project Details.

Project details have been deliberately omitted as I doubt that there is anyone who hasn't heard of HS2.

Working alongside the Ground and Soil Investigation Teams to ensure that any areas subject to groundworks were properly scoped, surveyed and monitored.

Working areas included any areas that required "breaking ground" in order to undertake collection of soil samples, geophysical analysis and archaeological investigations.

Site Details.

The working areas were part of the Phase 1 route of construction covering several different sites between Chalfont St Giles, Amersham, Great Missenden, Wendover and Aylesbury.

Each working are required scoping and on-going walkover surveys to ensure that wildlife was protected along the route.

Each working area was in essence a separate "site" with many requiring a range of skills and experience in order to achieve the desired outcomes.

Responsibilities and work undertaken.

Acting as a Lead Ecologist and ECoW.

Undertake pre-works checks for protected / notable species.

Preparation of the site (e.g. installation of reptile and newt fencing).

Nesting / breeding bird checks.

Bat PRF surveys on buildings and trees.

Surveys for Badger, GCN, Dormouse, Reptiles etc.

Safe capture and translocation of protected species to suitable receptor sites.

Oversee installation of artificial features such as bat & bird boxes, reptile hibernacula.

Supervise vegetation clearance, destructive searches and habitat creation including turf stripping & topsoil removal.

Deliver toolbox talks to contractors and provide on-site advice about protected species and precautionary methods of working.

Daily reporting to Project Managers and Environmental Manager.

Resolve ecological issues while on site with pragmatic solutions.

Supervise and undertake the implementation of mitigation measures and/or method statements.