Baker Consultants Blog

Appointments to marine division

2012-01-15 16:34:33

Baker Consultants Limited has made a significant move to expand our in-house capability in marine ecology with appointment of Dr Anna McGregor and Federica Pace. As well as being marine biologists Anna and Federica both bring new skills and expertise to our established bioacoustics team.

Report on marine mammals and sound

2012-01-26 16:35:49

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) of the US published its report last month from the marine mammal and sound workshop held in July 2010. It's online here http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/mammals_sound_workshop.htm

Baker Consultants launches SM2 Field Support Service

2012-01-11 16:29:33

Having become the UK's acknowledged experts in the use of the Wildlife Acousticsâ�� SM2 range of full spectrum recorders, Baker Consultants Ltd has been commissioned by the manufacturer to provide field support to their UK users.

Systematic Review Training - 21st February 2012

2012-01-09 12:51:31

Together with the Centre for Evidence Based Conservation, Baker Consultants will be holding a training course on â��Systematic Reviewsâ�� on 21st February 2012.

2011 A year for plans and new directions

2011-12-19 16:27:15

I had thought that 2011 would be a year of consolidation however it turned out to be one of continued expansion and forward planning. Not only did our client base increase along with turnover but we also expanded the in-house team with Carlos Abrahams joining us as Technical Director

Marine Strategy Framework Directive

2011-12-15 16:27:25

New guidance has been published on the assessment and reporting required under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive including marine habitats and species.

The 'Greenest Government Ever' sets light to a Bonfire of the Directives?

2011-12-05 09:32:34

In his Autumn Statement last week, the Chancellor George Osborne set out his views on how to improve the economy and tackle the debt crisis. Amongst other matters, he included a few comments in relation to UK environmental legislation that have not gone down well with conservation bodies such as the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts.

Mammal Society Conference - Wales 2011

2011-11-23 10:45:30

Paul reports on his trip to the Mammal Society Conference in Bangor. He attended talks on Dormice, badger mitigation and brown hares among other creatures and had a great group for his SM2 workshop. Read the full story here.

MOvember - Tash tastic Baker Boys

2011-11-16 09:24:06

Well, we're past the mid-point and have decided to unveil the Baker Consultants Movember Mos for your delictation. You can visit our site and donate your cash.... or just laugh and appreciate the itchyness!

The elusive dormouse

2011-11-14 10:45:42

It took almost a whole season of survey to discover, but after monthly checks having setting out nest boxes and tubes in early June, dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) were discovered in hedges at a site in the south west of England.

TIN102 Reptile mitigation guidelines WITHDRAWN

2011-11-10 22:13:30

This newsflash has just been received from Natural England announcing the withdrawal of its reptile mitigation guidelines.

Consultants and interested parties are being encouraged to provide contributions to the re-drafting process, but the contact details do not appear to be on the NE web site but can be found on the IEEM web site. Please feel free to add a comment below.

European Commission guidelines on wind developments

2011-11-02 09:32:56

The European Commission has published new guidance on Wind Energy developments and Natura 2000.

TIN102 flexible or costly?

2011-10-13 22:14:32

Natural England has launched new guidelines on survey and site mitigation for reptiles, producing a single set of standards for good practice in reptile ecology work. It is aimed at developers, local authorities and consultants.

All species of reptile are now on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority list, so their conservation has to be taken into account during the planning process, whenever a site supports populations of grass snake, slow worm, common lizard or other reptiles.

Our consultant ecologist Kelly Clark writes;

SM2BAT data analysis service

2011-10-03 16:28:08

In a very short period of time the SM2BAT from Wildlife Acoustics has become recognised as an industry-standard remote bat detector and is widely used by consultants, universities and researchers.

Superior field equipment that records more calls brings with it the challenge of larger volumes of data to analyse.

Baker Consultants is now able to offer a full data processing service to assist in the analysis of bat survey field recordings. Using our library of bat call â��recognisersâ�� our experienced bat ecologists can provide a cost-effective, independent analysis of SM2 recordings.

SM2 winter course dates

2011-09-27 15:21:58

SM2BAT COURSE DATES FOR 2011/12

Thursday 3rd November 2011â�¨
Thursday 16th February 2012â�¨
Thursday 15th March 2012

New reptile mitigation guidelines from Natural England - TIN102

2011-09-26 22:13:53

Natural England has released new mitigation guidelines for reptiles. The pdf is available for download here TIN102.

New handheld bat detector from Wildlife Acoustics

2011-09-19 16:10:05

WILDLIFE ACOUSTICS ANNOUNCES THE ECHO METER EM3 ULTRASONIC DETECTOR AND RECORDER

At the UK National Bat Conference last week, Wildlife Acoustics announced a new hand-held bat detector and recorder. As you would expect there was great excitement in the Baker Consultants office and Paul couldn't wait to get his hands on one.

Paul said: "It's a unique piece of kit, finally we have access to something that not only captures and records bat calls, but also shows the calls in real-time as they come in on the screen."

Ecological constraints to development - Free seminar

2011-09-05 10:40:33

Baker Consultants is hosting a seminar at DLA Piper Manchester on Wednesday 28th September.

The seminar addresses ecological constraints to development and how to overcome the legal hurdles. If you are a planner, planning consultant, developer or ecologist, whether for a commercial organisation or local authority, you are welcome to attend.

Spot the Paul

2011-08-18 12:38:05

Indeed, a cheap football gag, but also a serious issue for those of us who care where Paul Howden-Leach will be appearing next on the Autumn round of conferences and workshops.

Andrew to present at Spatial Ecology and Conservation Conference

2011-08-10 10:40:47

I thought Iâ��d let you know where you can catch up with us this Autumn. Aside from the usual site work and reporting, Paul and Andrew are busy writing presentations and digesting the recent updates to the SM2BAT to present some new ideas at a range of events this season.

Vacancy for office administrator - Applications now closed

2011-07-26 09:59:17

Baker Consultants is looking to recruit an enthusiastic and exceptionally well-organised Office Manager/PA who is keen to join a small, friendly, team of five dedicated ecological consultants based in Cromford.

Carlos visits house of lords

2011-07-05 10:41:13

Technical director Carlos Abrahams recently visited the House of Lords for the presentation of the 2011 Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Medal to Mr Pavan Sukhdev.

R&R awards - next nomination

2011-06-01 12:26:28

Free G&T and a lakeside view!

First entries in for Rest and Relaxation awards

2011-05-24 11:22:07

The entries are starting to trickle in from our team for the Baker Consultants R&R awards for the best places to stay or eat whilst on site visits.

Skeleton found on South Uist beech

2011-05-16 15:42:04

Can anyone identify this skeleton, found on a beech in South Uist during the Easter holidays?

Our finical controller Tanya found the skeleton pictured and brought it into our team "show and tell" on Tuesday last week.

Norway conference - Day 3

2011-05-05 12:16:16

Today's themes were Cumulative effects, Tools and technology, Mitigation and compensation and Future challenges.

Again, a huge amount of interesting and relevant information which will immediately be put into practice. Our approach to ecology for wind farm developments is going to get a right good shake up next week! I'm not going to go through all the good stuff about measuring and adjusting for impact, and associated stats - that's not for this forum, I am going to take a philosophical direction tonight.

Norway conference - Day 2

2011-05-04 12:15:46

Susan reports on day two of the Wind Energy and Wildlife Impacts conference in Norway.

The sessions today were: species-specific vulnerabilities and population effects, behavioural and spatial responses, collision risk modelling and Methods and statistics.

Susan visits wind energy and wildlife conference in Norway

2011-05-03 10:41:00

This week Susan White is attending the Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife Impacts in Trondheim, Norway. Day one covered EIAs and site selection, pre and post construction monitoring and fatality studies.

Protected species and the law - for planners

2011-04-06 12:50:19

Are you a planner? Do you fully understand your legal obligations regarding protected species legislation?

You are invited to attend a half-day training seminar on Wednesday 18th May in Sheffield, run by Environmental lawyer Penny Simpson.

Trip to the US to cement deal with Wildlife Acoustics

2011-03-17 15:06:13

Andrew Baker (Director) and Paul Howden-Leach are off to visit Wildlife Acoustics this week in their home of Concord, Massachusetts.

Carlos Abrahams appointed

2011-03-09 12:02:13

As the planned expansion of the business continues (end of year results reported an increase in turnover of 90%), Baker Consultants can announce that the core team is to be expanded by the appointment of Carlos Abrahams.

Micro hydro punch up

2011-03-07 10:04:36

I have recently returned from the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) conference held in London which was billed "Hydropower in England and Wales: Addressing the Key Ecological Issues".

Arkwright society events

2011-03-01 13:06:12

Kelly Clark is leading a couple of walks for the Arkwright Society in this spring. The first is a Woodland Walk on 1st April to look at the flora and fauna of the conservation area of Willersley Castle and Cromford, the second an evening bat walk along Cromford Canal on Friday May 6th.

Royal Visit

2011-02-20 15:03:36

HRH the Prince of Wales visited Baker Consultants last week to look at the completed refurbishment of the Cromford Station buildings and unveil a blue plaque. This was his second visit to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, hosted by the Arkwright Society.

SM2BAT training - Booking form

2011-02-17 14:37:24

Course dates are now confirmed for SM2BAT training with Paul Howden-Leach. This is the only UK SM2 course approved by Wildlife Acoustics.

Thursday 31st March - completed
Tuesday 12th April - completed
Thursday 9th June - completed
Tuesday 13th September - places still available

Supreme Court Morge v Hampshire County Council judgement published

2011-01-20 14:06:13

The Supreme Court yesterday published the judgement on Morge v Hampshire County Council and in doing so has provided some useful comment and clarification relating to European protected species and the Habitats Directive.

SM2 training courses available soon...

2011-01-14 11:16:00

We have already started receiving inquiries for training courses on the SM2 and have now opened the list for pre-registration.

Baker Consultants Rest and Relaxation Awards 2011

2011-01-07 13:59:00

The Baker Consultants team wishes everyone a happy and healthy 2011. And with this new year arrives a new competition at Baker Consultants........nominations are now being received for the 2011 Rest and Relaxation Awards awards.

Wind farm decision highlights need for reliable data

2011-01-04 18:11:00

A recent appeal decision has emphasized the need for reliable technical equipment during surveys....

SM2 presentation available

2010-12-02 11:16:00

On the 2nd of November, 2010 Andrew spoke about the SM2 at the Renewables UK conference in Glasgow. For all those who couldn�t make it, a version of Baker Consultants' presentation is now available.

Our man in Glasgow

2010-11-02 23:17:00

Andrew reports on happenings at Renewable UK conference in Glasgow this week

Would your ecological survey data stand up at public inquiry?

2010-10-18 13:07:00

During 2010 Baker Consultants has been pioneering the use of remote sensing technology (with the Wildlife Acoustics� SM2) which is new to the UK and offers improved data collection for bat and bird calls. The technology is cheaper, more reliable, easier to deploy and constructed to cope with the extremes of the British climate.

Andrew Baker to introduce the SM2 at the Renewable UK conference

2010-10-16 14:27:00

Andrew is speaking at the Renewable UK conference in Glasgow, on Tuesday 2nd November (2.15pm), as part of the Onshore Seminar on development issues (Ecology). He will be speaking about remote bat monitoring technology and its pre-development applications.

Law training seminar now fully booked - reserve list available.

2010-10-07 14:01:00

There have been a number of significant updates to UK law recently which may, among other things, impact the ecological evidence required for planning applications. On Thursday 9th December, Baker Consultants is hosting a training seminar with environmental lawyer Penny Simpson of DLA Piper, specially designed for ecologists working in England.

Cromford Mill receives �2 million

2010-09-30 11:21:00

It was announced this week that our landlords are set to receive a means to redevelop Building 17 at Arkwrights Mill, Cromford.

What you missed - the Baker Consultants open day

2010-09-20 12:47:00

I hope those of you who joined us for tea at our open day enjoyed the discussion as well at the scones. It's an event that we intend to run two or three times a year, on a different topic, and maybe with different refreshments!

Open day programme

2010-09-12 21:22:00

Just in case you've not put in your tea order yet, here's a reminder of the programme for our open day this week.

SM2 bat detector lab tested at Exeter University.

2010-08-20 10:46:00

As well as testing the SM2 in the field, Baker Consultants has this week returned from a lab testing session with Dr Fiona Mathews, lecturer in mammalian biology at Exeter University.

Invitation to tea

2010-08-14 12:45:00

If you're a friend of Baker Consultants, you should by now have been invited to our open day on Thursday 16th September (4-8pm). The timing is designed to fit in with the Derby trains (connecting to London and the rest of the country), so let the train take the strain and have a trip out!

Cromford Station wins restoration award

2010-08-08 13:39:00

Our lovely office, part of the �300,000 restoration project begun by the Arkwright Society in 2005, has won the Railway Heritage Trust's 2009 conservation award.

BC team know their oats

2010-08-06 08:46:00

Kelly, Susan and Fred are this week at the amazing Field Studies council in Malham Tarn learning about Grasses, sedges and rushes

Update to SM2 field tests

2010-07-21 10:27:00

Paul writes: Well, the kit works, is field ready in our opinion, just more to do on the comparative side to make sure the species recording is reliable. Just realised we never told you what it was, no reason, except we were not sure of it's capabilities.

Baker Consultants field-tests new bat detector.

2010-06-25 13:54:00

Is it possible that there could be a user friendly, waterproof, effective and affordable remote monitoring device? We're hoping so.

Silly season

2010-06-17 14:12:00

It�s the silly season; dusk and dawn surveys, torchlight surveys of ponds, and bottle trapping. Some would say that this is why we do the job, being out in the field, seeing amazing sunrises, and beautiful landscapes. We say that too!

Bottles bottles bottles

2010-05-21 10:54:00

Over 700 bottle traps have been used to survey a huge site in the midlands this month.

Drawdown Zones - national meeting sponsored by Baker Consultants

2010-05-10 11:23:22

In association with the BES Aquatic Ecology Group and sponsored by Baker Consultants, a national meeting on the conservation and management of drawdown zones is being held on Wednesday 16th June.

Matlock Moor wind farm has been refused at Public Inquiry - don't skimp on your survey!

2010-05-04 14:10:00

Susan writes: The Matlock Moor wind farm site is interesting to us not only because the site is only a few miles from our office but also because renewable energy is a key business area for Baker Consultants. What the inspectors report reveals serves as a warning to developers who might not see the value of often time-consuming and detailed survey.

Alight at Cromford

2010-04-28 14:30:00

We are pleased to announce that Baker Consultants has moved! The success of our first year (with close to 100 projects secured since we started trading) has resulted in the need for a formal office. The office is located in the West platform �upside� waiting room of Cromford Station, part of the Arkwright Society�s UNESCO World Heritage site . You can visit us on the mainline from Derby or Nottingham to Matlock (trains stop at Cromford Station twice an hour) and we�ll make you a coffee.

Are there bats up there - find out before the trees get leaves on!

2010-04-02 08:01:00

Assessing trees for bat roosts can require considerable effort because the features that bats use can often be small, high in the canopy of the tree and obscured by foliage. That�s great for predator avoidance, but presents ecologists with difficulties when surveying. There are several methods to survey trees and the level of survey is somewhat dependent on the value of the habitat for bats and the extent of the impacts.

Happy Birthday to us!

2010-03-28 11:48:00

Baker Consultants has just completed its first year of trading and what a year it has been! While many thought it brave to start a new consultancy in the depths of a recession, events proved such skepticism to be unfounded. Although the market was tough for everyone we were able to demonstrate that those who can respond quickly to adverse market conditions and provide clients with a quality service that is efficient and tailored to their specific needs can thrive. Within three weeks of our launch we had secured 200% of our predicted annual turnover for Year 1 (so much for business planning!).

Proposed overhaul of PPS9

2010-03-19 13:48:00

The Baker Consultants team is currently reviewing the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation paper on a new Planning Policy Statement. It is proposed that this new PPS will replace PPS9 on Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.

Major changes to Nature Conservation Law

2010-03-05 12:46:00

Nature conservation law is under continuous review and further changes have been announced that are proposed to come into force on April 1st 2010.

Paul Howden-Leach

2010-03-01 23:06:00

Paul Howden-Leach joined the ecology team at Baker Consultants today with a Chatsworth Farm Shop cake under his arm - he's got a clear comprehension of our priorities already!

Caselaw puts Local Planning Authorities under increasing pressure

2010-02-25 14:45:00

In June last year the Woolley case (Woolley,R vs Cheshire East Borough Council) clarified the role that Local Planning Authorities must take when considering planning applications that may affect European Protected Species (EPS).

Glow worm friendly cycle path in Gloucestershire

2010-02-16 20:14:00

Anton writes: At the end of November 2009 I was thrilled to see an article in the Daily Telegraph about the success of a cycle path in Tewkesbury, a scheme that I worked on between 2001-2003. The scheme began over 15 years ago as a proposed relief road for Tewkesbury, but came up against public opposition and to date has not been built.

Implications of Natural England TIN069

2010-02-09 21:32:00

Updated guidance on bird surveys for proposed wind farm sites in England has been long awaited, currently ecologists are using methods set out by Scottish Natural Heritage which often do not suit English conditions. This new guidance however presents us with a new set of problems without providing much in the way of a route map for ecologists, developers or planners.

British ponds in a �terrible state�

2010-02-04 21:57:00

The BBC reported today on a report from the charity Pond Conservation on the poor state of British ponds. The report highlights the importance of ponds for biodiversity and how agricultural pollution, in particular is resulting in a decline in quality. How can developments incorporate pond design?

Response to Natural England guidance on birds and wind farms TIN069

2010-01-15 16:35:00

This week Natural England released guidance to developers and ecologists describing the survey methods and effort which will be recommended when considering the potential impacts of wind farms on bird populations. Baker Consultants' team of ornithologists has put together a response to this document. If you would like to get involved in the discussion, please feel free to post a comment here or read the full document.

Natural England TIN069 guidance on the effects of on-shore wind farms on birds

2010-01-13 12:31:00

Natural England Technical Information Note TIN069 - Assessing the effects of onshore wind farms on birds. What will this mean for developers?

Now is the time for survey planning

2010-01-05 13:05:00

Of course we'd say this, but having sat down for our first team meeting of the new year things for the spring are starting to look exciting, so we thought we'd remind you that January is the time for survey planning.

Our Christmas do - no scandal but lots of snow!

2009-12-18 10:47:00

It's a long time since we have had this much snow in December, so the team at Baker Consultants decided to go out in it. Derbyshire looks pretty impressive, what you can't tell from these photos is quite how cold the wind was!

2010 CPD diary

2009-12-10 14:53:00

Our 2010 CPD schedule is attached here. It includes training on birds and windfarms, anabats and associated gadgets, public inquiries and contract management. Although this is mainly training offered free to our core team and associates, if you really fancy coming along, we might be able to squeeze you in!

The Environmentalist

2009-11-17 10:50:00

Ecology is an environmental discipline in its own right and is enjoying heightened awareness but there is a shortage of specialist graduates. In the November issue, Alison Ebbage of The Environmentalist charts the career of one ecology consultant - our own Andrew (Fred) Baker.

Survey guidelines

2009-11-02 14:50:00

Planning the ecology requirements of your project will save you money! By reducing the potential for delays or surprises you can complete your project on-time and in-budget. Here are our top 5 tips for clients:

The big training question

2009-10-02 10:42:00

Susan writes: Every ecologist I have spoken to regards training opportunities as important. In the after-hours discussions at conferences �What training do you get?� usually crops up more frequently than questions about bonus procedures. Finding good training is hard though.

Slow worm translocation update

2009-09-11 12:43:00

Phew-ey! (writes Kelly) We have moved 45 slow worms this week alone - bringing our slow worm total to 198. Some have been painted with pink nail varnish (No7 Rose truffle to be precise) to make sure i'm not catching the same ones

The world of public authority tenders

2009-09-03 11:17:00

Does anyone out there have a fail-safe way of filling in pre-qualification forms? Of course not! We�re even sending Diana on a course to learn about them. I�d really like to get a group of Local Authority procurement people in a room to justify why they are all different and admit which bits are completely arbitrary.

Holiday!!!!!

2009-08-13 11:22:00

Holiday � for those of us with children. Hard work and a little more stress than usual for those left to run the shop. It�s only with such a trusted team that an owner manager of a business less than 6 months old could take a whole two weeks off in the knowledge that the business is in safe hands � thanks team, thanks Susan!

Our BIG reptile project - end of week one

2009-08-07 18:06:00

After 7 days on site, I thought it was time to give you an insight into what has happened so far. Legacy habitat have put in the fence along the phase1 receptor site (although due to rubble could not follow the embankment to the north). We then carried out a destructive search of all the rubble/debris left at the north of the site.

Cash flow

2009-07-21 11:48:00

End of month accounts today, Tanya reported that despite billing way over target last month, we have NO aged debtors, not one! We�ve now got to revisit our cash flow model.

Marsh harriers

2009-07-07 11:26:00

I donï¿½t think I have worked on a wind farm project without encountering a marsh harrier. Only once have I found a breeding site actually within a development area, but at all the sites they have been fairly regular visitors.

Anton Kattan

2009-06-18 13:26:00

Baker Consultants had been invited to tender for a number of contracts in Wales and so were keen to have an established contact in the vicinity.

The problem with Natural England...

2009-06-17 11:54:00

There is a need for the industry to work closely with Natural England to make sure that their systems are fit for purpose, can be easily implemented and achieve the aims of the legislation � which is to protect those rare and vulnerable species, the law may be complex but it does not mean that the systems which implement the law should add more complexity.

Tanya Ebbage

2009-06-04 09:33:00

Tanya joined us a few days after Susan (27th March 2009) and soon realised that her initial time-line for establishing Baker Consultant�s accounting systems needed drastic re-drafting and fast-tracking since Fred and Susan were bringing home won contracts from right across the country.

June - the birthday month

2009-06-03 11:51:00

First meeting after a week away in sunny Cornwall. Reminds me how much I love the sea which, living in land-locked Derbyshire, is a bit annoying. On the plus side, it is also sunny at home in the beautiful white peak so can�t complain.

Kelly Clark

2009-05-25 21:19:00

The Baker Consultants� team had such a successful first few months that it was soon clear we needed another Consultant Ecologist

Diana Burgess

2009-05-04 16:41:00

The team soon found they needed some administrative back up and so Diana turned up at the team meeting on Monday 27th April 2009 and stayed on!

Susan White

2009-04-06 21:03:00

Once Fred set up Baker Consultants, Susan hot-footed to join him on 24th March 2009.

Saffron Baker

2009-03-13 07:44:00

The second Baker child, Billy, was only seven months old when Fred set up Baker Consultants but that didn�t deter Saffron from playing the lead in marketing the Company with a passion.

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