Established in 2001, our primary aim is to provide high quality and scientifically accurate information for our clients, while maintaining our independence.

Cork Ecology is available for a variety of project work including :

• Flora and Fauna surveys and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for wind farms, landfill sites, new roads and other development projects
• Hen harrier assessments
• Seabird and marine mammal surveys for offshore wind farms
• Desktop assessments
• General site assessment surveys
• Data analysis and data mapping
• Training in ESAS seabird and cetacean survey methods.

Cork Ecology has close links with several associates, allowing us to provide clients with a wide range of ecological expertise, including specialists in vegetation ecology, forestry, aquatic ecology, marine biology, marine and freshwater fisheries and conservation legislation and policy.

After graduating in 1992, he worked as a countryside ranger at a country park where he carried out wildfowl and wader (WEBS) counts, breeding and winter bird censuses (BTO) and vegetation surveys.

He started work with JNCC as a marine surveyor in 1993, gaining experience in marine surveys of seabirds and cetaceans, along with report writing and data analysis. He also participated in surveys of breeding seabirds, including a nationally important common gull colony.

He was a volunteer on the 1999 expedition to census breeding seabirds on St Kilda for Seabird 2000, and worked as a marine ecologist for an environmental consultancy in Aberdeen from 1998 to 1999, mostly in the offshore oil and gas sector, before travelling overseas with Claire in 2000 – 2001.

After a year working as a marine observer on fishing vessels, monitoring cetacean by-catch levels, and conducting seabird and cetacean surveys, she started working as a marine surveyor for JNCC.

She carried out marine surveys around Ireland for 2 years before writing a report on the distribution of seabirds and cetaceans in the waters around Ireland in 1997.

In 1998, she became Atlantic Frontier team leader, coordinating marine surveys north and west of Scotland for the AFEN project. She also participated in surveys of breeding seabirds on remote Scottish islands, and was joint team leader on an expedition to census breeding seabirds on St. Kilda in 1999, as part of Seabird 2000.

After nearly two years travelling overseas Claire returned to Ireland in 2001 and with Colin Barton, set up Cork Ecology, an independent environmental consultancy based in Cork.

In addition to our own survey, a review of available published information for the site will be carried out.

Areas of highest conservation value or those most vulnerable/sensitive will be identified and placed in the wider context of the surrounding area. Any potential impacts will be identified and assessed and mitigation measures outlined.

Get in touch to find out more about our Flora and Fauna Survey Services

Cork Ecology also offer a complete range of surveying and assessment services.

Recent Projects

• Breeding & winter bird survey at a proposed wind farm development, Co. Kerry
• Flora and Fauna Survey for a proposed wind farm development in Co. Cork
• Breeding & winter bird survey for a proposed erosion protection scheme in Co. Wexford
• Breeding bird survey for proposed hydro-electric scheme in Co. Cork
• Flora and Fauna site assessment for a wind farm development in Co. Tipperary, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Bird survey for a proposed industrial estate in Co. Cork, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Bird survey for a wind farm development in Co. Cork, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Bird survey for a marina development in Co. Cork, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Flora and Fauna site assessment for a wind farm development in Co. Cork, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Bird survey for a marina development in Co. Limerick, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Flora and Fauna site assessment for a wind farm development in Co. Tipperary, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Flora and Fauna site assessment for a wind farm development in Co. Mayo, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Breeding bird survey and impact assessment for a wind farm development in Co. Tipperary, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Flora and Fauna site assessment for a wind farm development in Co. Cork, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Bird survey and impact assessment for a wind farm development in Co. Limerick, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Bird survey for a landfill expansion project in Co. Kerry, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment

Get in touch to find out more about our Flora and Fauna Survey Services

Having worked for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) for several years, and with staff accredited in European Seabirds at Sea (ESAS) marine survey technique, we are available to carry out seabird and marine mammal surveys for offshore wind-farm developments, oil and gas developments and seismic surveys.

Cork Ecology staff have considerable experience of conducting seabird colony counts using standard species methods. Previous survey work includes St Kilda and the Western Isles for Seabird 2000 and colony counts in Ireland and north-east Scotland.

Contact us for more information on our Marine Environmental Surveys

Recent Projects

• Managing seabird and marine mammal survey data, validation, analysis, species distribution mapping & impact assessment for the UK Round 3 Hornsea offshore wind farm development, 2009 – 2011 
• Managing seabird and marine mammal survey data, validation, analysis and species distribution mapping for Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm development in Scottish Territorial Waters, 2009 – 2011
• Managing seabird and cetacean surveys in the North Sea for the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), March 2008 to February 2009
• Cetacean observer on SCANS I and II North Sea surveys (1995 & 2005)
• Seabird and marine mammal survey using (JNCC) Seabirds at Sea methodology for UK DECC, as part of their offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment, 2004
• Seabird and marine mammal data entry, analysis and distribution mapping for offshore wind-farm developments in the Irish Sea

Contact us for more information on our Marine Environmental Surveys

The hen harrier is on Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive, and is an Amber-listed species in Ireland. Wind farms or other developments within areas of importance for hen harrier are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment.

Please get in touch for more information on our hen harrier surveys

There are two components to the assessment :

1. Phase 1 is a pre-breeding survey, looking for displaying birds and is generally carried out in April / Early May to establish the number of birds holding territory locally.
2. Phase 2 comprises a detailed study of the utilisation of the area in and around the proposed development by hen harriers, and is conducted between May and August.

The final report would detail the extent to which the site and surrounding area is used by hen harriers, including maps, conclusions and mitigation measures.

Recent Hen Harrier Projects

• Post-construction monitoring of Hen Harrier activity at a landfill site in Co. Cork, 2007 to 2011
• Post-construction monitoring of Hen Harrier activity at a wind farm in Co. Cork, 2007 to 2010
• Assessments for three proposed wind farm developments in Co. Kerry, 2009
• Assessment for proposed wind farm development in Co. Cork, 2008
• Assessment for proposed wind farm development in Co. Kilkenny, 2008
• Assessment for proposed wind farm development in Co. Clare, 2008
• Assessment for proposed wind farm development in Co. Tipperary, 2006
• Co-ordinated National Hen Harrier Breeding Survey 2005 for NPWS, BWI & IRSG
• Assessment for proposed wind farm development in Co. Tipperary, 2004
• Breeding survey in Co. Cork and Co. Kerry for NPWS, 2003
• Assessment for proposed wind farm development in Co. Cork, 2003
• Assessment for proposed wind farm development in Co. Tipperary, 2003
• Assessment for proposed wind farm development in Co. Kerry, 2003
• Assessment for proposed land fill development in Co. Kerry, 2003
• Habitat selection study in Counties Limerick, Cork and Kerry for Dúchas, 2002

Please get in touch for more information on our hen harrier surveys

Results are then produced as a final report to be incorporated into an EIA. For long-term offshore wind farm site monitoring we can manage the survey database and produce species distribution maps for client progress reports, as required.

Contact us for more information on our Data Analysis and Mapping services

Recent Projects

• Seabird and marine mammal data validation, analysis and distribution mapping for the UK Round 3 Hornsea offshore wind farm development, 2009 – 2011 
• Seabird and marine mammal data validation, analysis and distribution mapping for Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind-farm development in Scottish Territorial Waters, 2009 – 2011
• Seabird and marine mammal data validation, analysis and distribution mapping for the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), 2008 - 2009
• Seabird and marine mammal data entry, validation, analysis and distribution mapping for offshore wind-farm developments in the Irish Sea
• Mapping and analysis of seabird data for the UK DECC, as part of the ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA 5, 6, 7 &

Contact us for more information on our Data Analysis and Mapping services

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have conducted a sequence of sectoral SEAs considering the implications of further licensing of the UK continental shelf (UKCS) for oil and gas exploration and production. Wind power and other renewable energy developments are also covered by the DECC SEA process.

Please get in touch for more information on our SEA Services

Recent Projects

• A review of populations and distribution of coastal and marine birds from the high tide line out to 200 m water depth, around Ireland, as part of the SEI Offshore Renewable Energy SEA.
• A gap analysis of seabird distribution in Irish Waters using the European Seabirds at Sea (ESAS) database, for National Parks & Wildlife Service – 2008.
• Management of North Sea seabird and cetacean surveys (Feb 2008 to March 2009) for DECC. Some trip reports available here
• A review of offshore seabirds in the SEA 8 area, including update of inshore seabirds & waders. Download
• A review of offshore seabirds in the SEA 7 area. Download
• A gap analysis of seabird survey data in UK waters. Download
• A review of the distribution and abundance of inshore seabirds for SEA Areas 6, 7 and 8. Download
• A review of the coastal distribution and abundance of swans and geese in the SEA 6, 7 & 8 areas. Download
• A review of the distribution and abundance of divers, grebes and seaduck in the SEA 5 area. Download
• A review of the coastal distribution and abundance of swans and geese in the SEA 5 area, including a review of the potential impacts of offshore wind farms on swans and geese. Download

Please get in touch for more information on our SEA Services