Haddockston Golf Course Extension EIA Scoping Report

5.3.8 Frogs and toads use the site. No newt species were recorded.
5.3.9 Breeding bird survey was undertaken in 2009 and recorded an assemblage typical of the woodland type and
open grassland areas of the golf course. At least thirty-six species of bird are known to, or are believed to, breed within
the boundaries of the site, some in good numbers (wood pigeon, wren, willow warbler, chaffinch), others less so. Four
red listed species (species of High Conservation Concern) – all UKBAP (species recognised under the UK’s
Biodiversity Action Plan) and seven amber species (species of Medium Conservation Concern) – one UKBAP, are
included in the list of recorded species.
5.3.10 Specific invertebrate surveys were not undertaken. Invertebrates were recorded incidentally to other
surveys. Records include orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines), green-veined white (Pieris napi) and small
tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) butterflies, carder (Bombus pascuorum), white-tailed (Bombus lucorum) and buff-tailed
(Bombus terrestris) bumblebees and seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata). Leeches, pond skaters, caddis-fly
larvae, whirligig beetles and diving beetles were all recorded within the various ponds.
5.4 PROPOSED ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
Desk Study
5.4.1 In addition to a statutory and non-statutory consultation process, a desk study will be carried out to review the
local, regional and national planning framework (in line with IEEM 2006 Guidelines) to include:
The Renfrewshire Local Plan, 2006;
UK Biodiversity Action Plan 2001;
Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2004; and
Other relevant nature conservation policies.
5.4.2 The desk study will collect records of protected or notable species within 2km of the site (5km for bats) from
statutory and non-statutory organisations such as the local bat group, Scottish Badgers, Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds and the local biological records centre.
Field Survey
As has been described above, field surveys have been undertaken over the site in 2008 and 2009. For the purposes
of EIA surveys will be extended as relevant into a buffer zone around the site, as follows, and as landowner access
allows.
European Protected Species
Otter
5.4.3 The site was searched for field signs of otter. Otter field signs include:
Holts - below ground resting places;
Couches - above ground resting places;
Prints; and
Spraints – faeces used as territorial markers.
5.4.4 Any of the above signs are diagnostic of the presence of otter; however it is often not possible to identify
couches with confidence unless other field signs are also present. Spraint is the most reliably identifiable evidence of
the presence of this species.
Bats
5.4.5 A bat activity survey has been undertaken to determine if the loss of habitat and the disturbance associated
with the proposed development will have any impact on roosting, foraging, or commuting bat species. While no
mature trees were found to contain roosts, bats can use a suitable tree or built structure at any time. As such any
trees or buildings to be removed will need to be re-surveyed before impact.
5.4.6 A hibernation inspection will be made in January/February 2010 of any built structures or trees that show
potential for hibernation to occur. This will use endoscopes and torches to examine suitable hibernation sites.
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