We provide bird surveys across Shropshire, covering key areas including Shrewsbury, Wem, Ellesmere, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Ironbridge, Highley, Telford, Newport, Donnington, Ludlow, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Whitchurch, and Market Drayton.
Do I need a bird survey for my development in Shropshire?
If your planning application could affect birds or their habitats, a professional survey is essential — we provide fully compliant reports to secure your consent.
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Clear guidance before you commit.
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We stay with you from first call through to submission.
Shropshire’s mix of farmsteads, hedgerows, woodland edges, barns, river corridors, meadows, and older buildings supports a wide range of nesting and breeding birds. These varied landscapes provide ideal conditions for both common and protected species, offering shelter, feeding opportunities, and suitable nesting sites. As a result, many development projects in Shropshire require careful consideration of breeding bird constraints to ensure legal compliance and avoid seasonal delays.
A bird survey is a check of an area to see what birds live there or visit. Experts watch, listen, and record birds over time to understand which species are present and if they could be affected by a development. The results help make sure building or land changes don’t harm wildlife and meet planning rules
Planning officers in Shropshire often require bird evidence when vegetation or structures may be impacted.
You may need a bird survey if your project involves:
A simple postcode check confirms if your LPA is likely to ask for bird evidence.
We provide bird surveys across Shropshire, covering key areas including Shrewsbury, Wem, Ellesmere, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Ironbridge, Highley, Telford, Newport, Donnington, Ludlow, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Whitchurch, and Market Drayton.
Shropshire planning authorities require bird survey evidence where suitable nesting habitat is present to ensure development complies with the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and national planning policy. Without early, proportionate survey work, applications are frequently delayed through validation queries, additional conditions, or seasonal restrictions linked to the breeding bird period. These issues can disrupt project programmes, limit available working windows, and in some cases force avoidable redesign.
Our specialist ecology team carries out a Bird Survey to assess nesting activity and confirm any risks. You receive a clear, LPA-ready report outlining practical mitigation and timing measures, helping your project remain compliant and progress without delay.
We provide a practical, proportionate approach which includes:
Nesting bird checks for vegetation and buildings
Breeding bird surveys (BBS) where required
Barn owl and specialist assessments (if relevant)
Clear mitigation and avoidance measures
Reporting aligned with Shropshire LPA expectations
Phased clearance guidance for contractors
Practical next steps fitted to your programme
We help you plan works, in Shropshire, around the breeding season with minimal disruption.
Send your site details and programme. We confirm the correct level of survey.
Walkovers, habitat assessments, observations and activity checks.
Planning-ready reports with impact assessment, mitigation options and timelines for site teams.
Only if needed. PEA, EIA, and Protected Species surveys
Need a bird survey in Shropshire? Let’s confirm your site’s requirements and keep your project on track.
A bird survey may be needed if your development could affect nesting birds, protected species or habitats such as hedgerows, woodland, scrub, farm buildings, river corridors or mature trees. In rural parts of Shropshire, even small developments can require ecological consideration if suitable bird habitat is present.
Breeding bird surveys are usually completed between March and July, when birds are most active and nesting behaviour can be recorded accurately. The exact timing depends on the site, the habitats present and the species likely to be affected, so early ecological advice is recommended.
Bird surveys are often requested for barn conversions, rural housing schemes, agricultural developments, woodland edge projects, infrastructure works, solar farms and developments affecting hedgerows or open countryside. Sites near rivers, ponds, wetland margins or mature tree lines may also need assessment.
Many bird survey visits take a few hours, but larger rural sites or more complex breeding bird assessments may require multiple visits during the survey season. After the survey work is complete, ProHort prepares a report suitable for planning submission.
If nesting birds are found, works may need to be timed or managed to avoid disturbing active nests. This does not normally mean the development cannot proceed. The report will set out practical mitigation, such as temporary working restrictions, nest protection areas or habitat enhancements.
Yes. Completing bird survey work early can help identify ecological constraints before your application is submitted. This reduces the risk of the Local Planning Authority asking for additional information later in the process, which can delay validation or determination.
Yes. ProHort prepares bird survey reports using recognised ecological methods, making them suitable for submission to planning authorities across Shropshire. Local planning information is available through Shropshire Council here:
https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/planning/
They can be. Barns and traditional agricultural buildings may support nesting birds such as swallows, house martins, owls or other species using ledges, roof spaces or open-fronted structures. A survey helps determine whether birds are present and whether mitigation is needed before works begin.
Bird survey reports are commonly treated as valid for around two years, provided the site conditions have not changed significantly. If vegetation has become more established, buildings have deteriorated or the project has been delayed, an update survey may be required.
ProHort provides professional bird surveys across Shropshire for homeowners, landowners, architects, developers and planning consultants. Our ecologists provide clear advice, reliable survey scheduling and planning-ready reports that help projects remain compliant with wildlife legislation while moving forward efficiently.
