Services · Core

Reptile Surveys

All six native UK reptile species are legally protected. If your site includes grassland, scrub, heathland, brownfield or woodland edge habitat, a reptile survey is likely to be required before development can proceed.

Survey seasonApril – September
Minimum visits7 surveys
MethodArtificial refugia
UK native species6

Overview

Reptile surveys establish the presence, distribution and — where required — population size of native reptile species on a development site. The UK has six native reptiles: adder, grass snake, slow worm, common lizard, smooth snake and sand lizard. All are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 against intentional killing and injuring, with smooth snake and sand lizard receiving full protection under the Habitats Regulations.

The standard methodology uses artificial refugia — corrugated tin sheets and roofing felt — placed across the site in suitable locations. Reptiles bask on and shelter beneath these refugia, making them detectable during timed surveys. A minimum of seven visits in suitable weather conditions is required to achieve a robust presence/absence result, with additional visits needed for population size class estimates on larger or more complex sites.

Where reptiles are confirmed, we design proportionate mitigation — which may include phased vegetation clearance under ecological supervision, translocation to a receptor site, or habitat creation and enhancement. For smooth snake and sand lizard, a European Protected Species licence from Natural England will be required for any works that could affect them.

When you need this

  • Your PEA identifies suitable reptile habitat — grassland, scrub, heathland, brownfield, railway embankments, allotments or woodland edge
  • The site is in an area with known reptile records
  • You are developing brownfield or post-industrial land with rubble, rough vegetation or south-facing banks
  • The LPA conditions your permission on reptile survey and mitigation
  • You are clearing vegetation or demolishing structures that could provide reptile refugia

Our approach

  1. 01
    Refugia deployment

    Corrugated tin sheets and roofing felt mats are placed in a grid pattern across areas of suitable habitat, at a density of at least 10 per hectare. They are left to bed in for at least two weeks before the first survey.

  2. 02
    Presence/absence surveys

    A minimum of seven visits in suitable weather conditions (warm but not hot, low wind, dry or recently dry). Each refugium and area of natural basking habitat is checked systematically and all reptile sightings recorded.

  3. 03
    Population assessment

    Peak adult counts across the survey visits are used to assign population size class (low, good, exceptional) for each species, following Natural England guidance. This determines the level of mitigation required.

  4. 04
    Mitigation design

    Where reptiles are present, we design a mitigation strategy proportionate to the population — typically phased vegetation clearance, displacement fencing, translocation to a prepared receptor area, or a combination.

Frequently asked questions

01Why are seven survey visits needed?+
Seven visits is the minimum required to achieve statistical confidence in a presence/absence result. Reptile detection is weather-dependent — some visits may produce no sightings even when reptiles are present. Spreading surveys across the season and across weather conditions reduces the risk of a false negative.
02What weather conditions are suitable for reptile surveys?+
Ideal conditions are air temperatures between 9°C and 18°C, low wind, no rain and either overcast or broken cloud. Surveys are not carried out in heavy rain, strong wind or very hot conditions (above ~20°C) when reptiles tend to be underground or deep in vegetation.
03What happens if reptiles are found on my development site?+
Development can proceed with appropriate mitigation. For common species (adder, grass snake, slow worm, common lizard), this typically involves phased vegetation clearance under ecological supervision or translocation to a receptor area. A Reasonable Avoidance Measures method statement is usually sufficient. For smooth snake or sand lizard, a Natural England licence is required.
04Can reptile surveys and mitigation be done at the same time?+
Trapping and translocation can overlap with the later survey visits, but the full survey must be completed before a mitigation strategy can be finalised. Early survey commissioning gives you more of the season to work with.
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