Ecology Matters has signed a framework agreement with leading international renewable energy consultancy group Natural Power This agreement widens Ecology Matter’s resource and expertise in onshore and offshore wind farm ecology issues, allowing the companies to work together in order to further develop their respective and mutual expertise.

Ecology Matters has been providing wind farm assessments since the late 1980′s and are currently working on over 20 sites across the UK. Natural Power’s Welsh office in Aberystwyth has consented 40MW in Wales and has another 346MW in planning as well as working on several early stage projects in England and Wales whilst the Ecology team has been established for some nine years, and is based in Scotland. Combined, the teams stand as one of the most experienced, qualified and knowledgeable Ecology partnerships in the country and are positioned to assist renewable energy development clients with their complete Ecology & Hydrology requirements for studies and services.

Commenting on the agreement, Sarah Cartmel, Director of Ecology Matters said “We are delighted to have signed this framework agreement with Natural Power and look forward to working closely with them on a variety of projects. The two companies have skills which complement each other and the agreement will allow us both to provide high quality ecological services for onshore and offshore renewables projects across the UK.”

John Woodruff, Natural Power’s Senior Development Manager in Wales said: “We have worked with Ecology Matters on several sites and feel the two companies share a common approach to Ecology & Hydrology – this arrangement helps to strengthen the offering of both companies, ultimately assisting our respective clients and seeking new opportunities in the market.”

Richard Walls, Director of Ecology and Hydrology at Natural Power added: “Natural Power’s in-house Ecology & Hydrology team now stands at over 30 and is the only dedicated resource solely focused on renewables in the UK. Partnering with Ecology Matters is a logical way to bolster the Natural Power team while ensuring that we can complement each other in the provision of high quality ecological services.”

For more information email info@ecologymatters.co.uk

For more information on Natural Power visit www.naturalpower.com

If you are visiting the Atlas Mountain we recommend a visit to a Gite in the village of Ijoukak. This is the base we use for our Ring Ouzel studies and is an ideal location for birdwatching, walking or just relaxing. The food is fresh and from local produce – excellent tagines and Cous Cous – and endless pots of tea that appear whenever you return to the Gite.

Your host – Mahjoub – is very helpful and hospitable.  If you are interested in staying here please contact us for details.

Tea on the terrace at Gite Chez Mahjoub, Atlas Mountains

Two ringing trips to the Atlas mountains have now been completed. The birds proved very shy – 9 birds were caught on the first trip and 5 on the second. All were fitted with metal rings and a yellow colour ring with a unique two letter combination.

Whilst the numbers caught were dissapointing we did learn a lot more about the birds habits and use of habitat during the time spent in the field and this has enabled us to look at new work for the future. A full report on the ringing trips is being prepared.

The one that didn't get away!

Ecology Matters is funding two expeditions to the Atlas Mountains this winter to catch and ring wintering ring ouzels. Having obtained permissions from both the Moroccan authorities to undertake the research and from the British Trust for Ornithology to use UK rings (as there is no Moroccan ringing scheme) two teams of highly experienced ringers will be heading out over the next two months.

Any ouzels caught will be fitted with both a metal BTO ring and and individually inscribed colour ring. The colour ring will identify Moroccan ringed birds so they can be identified during migration and on the breeding ground if seen without needing to re-catch the birds. Colour ringing studies of birds hatched in Scotland have led to a good proportion of sightings so we are hopeful that as well as obtaining more information on the birds on the wintering grounds we will also help to improve knowledge of the ouzels migration routes.

Results of the project will be posted at the end of the winter.

Ecology Matters are please to promote the Annual Condry Memorial Lecture in memory of the late naturalist Bill Condry. This years lecture is given by author and broadcaster Paul Evans and is titled “A naturalist and his own sqaure mile”. The lecture is at 7.00pm on the 6th October in The Tabernacle, Machynlleth. Further details on www.thecondrylecture.co.uk

As part of the research into ring ouzel declines (see elsewhere on this website) Ecology Matters (through the Ecology Matters Trust) are undertaking research in the ouzels wintering grounds in Morocco. We are developing a collaborative project with the University in Marrakech looking at the ecology of Juniper – the main food source for ouzels.

We are looking for a French speaking Ecologist / Botanist to help us with this project. Initially this would be a voluntary position but there will be the opportunity for an expenses paid visit to the Atlas Mountains, the opportunity to help us develop the project and we will be seeking funds for possible paid work within the project.

If you are interested please contact us via the website contact form or phone Mick Green on 01970 832491

Ecology Matters are proud to become the first corporate member of the Welsh Ornithological Society, supporting its work promoting the conservation of Wales’  birds and their habitats.

Ecology Matters encourages other organisation to join as corporate members – full details are on the Society’s website – www.birdsinwales.org.uk

The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management have published guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in marine and coastal environments. The guidelines are available at www.ieem.net/ecia

The development of the guidelines was supported by Ecology Matters and Mick Green was a member of the IEEM working group which produced the guidance.

As the first coprorate members of the Welsh Ornithological Society Ecology Matters are pleased to provide details of this years annual conference on the theme of ‘Wetland Birds in Wales’.

The Welsh Ornithological Society (WOS) conference, organised in conjunction with RSPB Cymru and the British Trust for Ornithology, will be held on Saturday 6 November in Carno Community Centre, near Caersws, Powys.

The Wetlands Birds in Wales conference costs £25 (£20 for WOS members), including lunch and refreshments, with a discount offered on membership for non-members who join at the Conference. Booking details are on www.welshos.org.uk.

The latest version of the publication ‘The State of Birds In Wales’ has been published and contains details of the fluctuating fortunes of Welsh birds.

The current version includes a summary of Ecology Matters Honey Buzzard project and can be downloaded from http://www.welshos.org.uk/downloads/SOBIW0809eng.pdf