Ardea Ecology Ltd - ecological consultancy and photographic services.

Ardea Ecology Ltd is owned by Jonathan Ayres, an experienced consultant ecologist and wildlife photographer based in Cheshire.

This ecological consultancy draws on many years of professional ecological consultancy experience, working for large multi-disciplinary companies, in the UK and Australia, on a range of development projects and for a number of years working within local council and national park development control/planning teams, advising a range of clients and agencies on planning and ecology matters, from small-scale demolition projects to large complex road schemes.

Our aim is to provide a pragmatic 'can do' approach to ecological consultancy and to deliver innovative solutions to our clients. As an ecologist and wildlife surveyor I can provide a range of professional ecological services and advice, including surveys for a range of protected species and habitats across the UK and overseas. Mitigation and survey licences held include bats, barn owls and great crested newts and I have carried out numerous bat licence mitigation schemes for householders in the last 12 months, working on barn conversions and householder extensions.

Previous project experience includes major road projects, barn conversions, culverts and bridge works, coal mine planning and surveying, quarrying, housing schemes and renewable energy projects such as solar and wind farms.

In addition to surveying for protected species and habitats, in support of planning proposals, I can also provide dedicated advice on species and habitat management work, biodiversity net gain and provide ecological clerk of works to support on site development and construction works.

Amongst the full range of services offered typical surveys to support planning applications include phase 1 habitat survey, nesting bird checks, preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA), EcIA, UKHABS, BNG and protected species surveys. Following planning approval, I can provide reports to inform habitat creation, management and restoration as well as ongoing monitoring of mitigation or enhancement work and protected species licensing.

Ardea Ecology Ltd is a CIEEM Registered Practice and Jonathan is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and a Fellow of The Linnean Society of London (FLS).

CIEEM Registered Practice

Great crested newt

Photographic services

I can also provide photographic images covering a range of subjects, predominantly press, wildlife, stock and landscape photography. These works can be purchased directly through the Contact Us form or via agencies such as Alamy. As a freelance photographer I have sold images worldwide to a range of clients from press, stock agencies to newspapers magazines and websites. If you would like to enquire about an image or photographic service please use the Contact us form.

Please keep up to date with the BLOG to view the latest images and creative ideas.