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Paul Barnes, Gareth Blockley and Sarah Brooks carried out the surveys aided by assistants. The surveys took place between 25th June and 26th July 2012. All personnel are employees of RSK, member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) and have experience in carrying out Water Vole and European Otter surveys.
2.2 Field Survey – Water Vole 2.2.1 Habitat Assessment
Habitat was assessed for Water Voles according to subjective criteria, which were then used to categorize habitat according to suitability for the species. The following habitat factors are taken into consideration:
• water quality; • water-level regime; • channel dimensions; • bank type and material; • vegetation for cover and food sources; • shading; • predation and competition; and • habitat management.
Habitat suitability was classified as follows:
• Suitable – habitat that has all the elements required for Water Voles certainly in the summer, and probably through most winters.
• Suitable (Sub-optimal) – habitat that has some of the habitat features that are suitable for Water Vole, but with some constraints so that suitability throughout the year is not certain.
• Unsuitable – habitat lacking one or more crucial element for use by Water Voles. This category does not necessarily preclude the habitat being used by commuting Water Voles, but it would not be able to support a resident population.
2.2.2 Evidence of Water Vole Activity
Survey for evidence of Water Vole followed standard methods adapted from Strachan and Moorhouse (2011). All suitable habitat was systematically and thoroughly searched for signs of the species where access was possible. June and July are suitable times of the year to survey for Water Voles as they are active above ground, and latrines are
East Anglia Offshore Wind Limited
Water Vole and Otter Technical Report 854188 (Rev 02)