Welcome to the website of ECOFACT. We are Ireland's leading independant ecology and environmental management company
We are specialists in the fields of ecology and environmental management, and work thoughout Ireland and the UK
We provide a leading role in Ireland as advisors, investigators, and problem solvers on issues regarding the natural environment
Contact Ireland's leading ecology team for all your ecological consultancy needs
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published new guidance in January 2019 for bats surveys at wind farm sites. These new guidelines are entitled “Bats and onshore wind turbines – survey, assessment and mitigation”. The document incorporates findings from the latest research on the impact of wind farms on bats. It is endorsed by all the statutory […]
We are one of the leading companies in Ireland providing mammal surveys and assessments. We provide expert advise on both bats and terrestrial non-volant (i.e. non-flying) mammals. We undertake surveys for all terrestrial non-volant mammal species in Ireland, including Badger, Otter, Red Squirrel, Pine Marten, and non-native American Mink, among others. Our staff are fully […]
We were delighted to work recently with BBC Earth on a documentary on Sea Lampreys Petromyzon marinus. The filming took place during early-June 2017 on the old River Shannon at Castleconnell, Co Limerick. This is part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation, and Sea Lampreys are a key conservation interest of this […]
A major new book will be published in May 2017 entitled ‘Wildlife and Wind Farms: Conflicts and Solutions’. Volume 1 of this book includes a chapter prepared by Ecofact Principal Ecologist Dr. William O’Connor. The two-volume set provides a comprehensive overview of the interactions between wind farms and wildlife, each volume dedicated to one of the two […]
Our staff are currently undertaking a number of wintering bird surveys in the Irish Midlands. Here we have provided some photos and videos from bird surveys we undertook during December 2015. Our bird surveys are undertaken to inform both the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) reports being prepared for proposed wind energy […]
Marine and estuarine ecological surveys are a key service provided by ECOFACT. These surveys are undertaken for a number of purposes, including informing the Environmental Impact Assessments and Article 6 Appropriate Assessments of proposed developments affecting the marine / estuarine environment. These surveys are also to monitor the impact of industrial and municipal discharges and aquaculture […]
The Freshwater Pearl Mussel Margaritifera margaritifera is a (freshwater) bivalve listed under Annex II and V of the EU Habitats Directive. It is legally protected in Ireland under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act (1976 (Protection of Wild Animals) (Statutory Instrument No. 112, 1990) and the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations (Statutory Instrument No. 94, 1997). Owing […]
The gallery below is a selection of photos from the aquatic ecology survey work we completed during August and September 2015. The surveys here are being undertaken to inform projects such as the management of waste water treatment plants and water abstraction schemes. The work will also be used to inform environmental impact assessments and appropriate assessments of proposed […]
The winter bird survey season has just commenced so please contact us now if you require any winter bird survey work completed during the forthcoming season. ECOFACT is the leading independent provider of bird surveys in Ireland and specialise in undertaking assessments like this for proposed and operational wind energy projects. However, we cater for […]
We have been busy undertaking freshwater ecology surveys, and we have provided a selection of current fieldwork photos below. The surveys we have been undertaking include electrofishing surveys, kick sampling, freshwater pearl mussel surveys, white-clawed crayfish surveys, river habitat surveys, and chemical water quality surveys. ECOFACT is Ireland’s leading independent provider of freshwater ecology surveys, and this is […]
We have been undertaking a number of breeding bird surveys, and here are a selection of photos we have taken of terns this season. We will be posting photos from other breeding bird surveys here also, so please sign up to ECOFACT NEWSDESK on this page to receive all our updates. Ireland has five species […]
We have been undertaking a Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus spawning survey in the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation, during June and July 2015. This follows on from similar surveys in relation to River lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis which we undertook earlier this year. Sea Lamprey is the largest of the three Irish lamprey species, and also […]
ECOFACT is currently preparing the Ecological Impact Assessment and Habitats Directive Assessment for the proposed Lough Derg Canoe Trail. Lough Derg is the largest lake on the River Shannon, the third largest lake in Ireland, and occupies parts of Counties Clare, Galway and North Tipperary. Lough Derg covers an area of 130 km² and measures 33 km from Portumna […]
We are currently undertaking a number of aquatic ecology surveys on Natura 2000 rivers. Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union. It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated respectively under the EU Habitats Directive and Birds Directive. […]
Wind farms are an essential component of global renewable energy policy and the action to limit the effects of climate change. There is, however, considerable concern over the impacts of wind farms on wildlife, leading to a wide range of research and monitoring studies, a growing body of literature and several international conferences on the […]
The Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus is protected in Ireland under the Wildlife Act (1976) and Amendment Act (2000). With its breeding population having declined by more than 50% in the past 30 years the Hen Harrier is listed as an Annex I species under the EU Birds Directive (1979) and accordingly has a high conservation status. […]
Every six years EU member states submit assessments on the conservation status of species and habitats protected under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. ‘The State of Nature in the EU’ report has now been published, and presents the results from reporting under the nature directives for the period 2007–2012. The report can be downloaded […]
ECOFACT has been assisting Limerick City & County Council with the design, planning and environmental assessment of the Limerick Smarter Travel project. We prepared the Natura Impact Statement and Ecological Impact Assessment for a revised design for Route 2 of the proposed scheme earlier this year, and this has now received full approval from An Bord Pleanála. […]
River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis is listed on Annexes II and V of the EU Habitats Directive and Appendix III of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is found only in western Europe, and Irish populations are considered to be of European importance. River lampreys are anadromous and […]
Bats are nocturnal animals and are adapted to low-light conditions. This means that most bat species are impacted on negatively by artificial lighting. A new study just published has demonstrated that bat activity was generally lower in street-lit areas than in dark locations with similar habitat. This has discredited the popular belief that street lighting is attractive to common bat […]
Electric power lines are now recognised as one of the most important causes of bird mortality internationally. Power lines have the potential to cause fatal injuries to birds; as a result of both collision and electrocution. They can also result in habitat loss, with certain bird species avoiding areas where power lines occur. Many power lines in Ireland were installed […]
We have provided the latest photos from our ongoing wintering bird surveys below. We hope you enjoy this latest series of photographs – all of which were taken during March 2015. To activate the photo gallery please click on any of the images below. We are now near the start of breeding bird survey season, so if you have a […]
Here are the latest photos from our ongoing wintering bird surveys. We hope you enjoy the series of photographs provided below – all of which were taken during February 2015. The photos include Whooper Swans, Bewick’s Swans, Curlew and Greylag Geese, and were selected from photos taken during a number of ongoing surveys in the Irish […]
Here are a selection of photos from our ongoing 2014-2015 winter bird surveys in Ireland. Most of our winter bird survey work is in the Irish Midlands, and the bird surveys will be used to inform the Natura Impact Statements and Ecological Impact Assessments being prepared for a number of proposed wind energy developments. The […]
The white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes is our only native freshwater crayfish. It is listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive and the species is a qualifying feature in 15 Special Areas of Conservation in Ireland. White-clawed crayfish are threatened internationally and are currently listed by the IUCN as being an Endangered Species. In England […]
The photo galley below shows some of our aquatic ecology survey work completed so far during the current 2014 season. The survey work we have completed this summer includes electrofishing surveys (for salmonids, lampreys and coarse fish), Freshwater Pearl Mussel surveys (Phase 1/2, juvenile surveys, habitat condition assessments), White-clawed crayfish surveys, river habitat surveys and […]
Welcome to the website of ECOFACT Environmental Consultants; Ireland’s leading independent team of ecologists, environmental consultants and environmental scientists. We work throughout Ireland and the UK.
We provide high quality information on the Environmental Sciences to public and private sectors for the benefit of conservation, the environment and business. ECOFACT is committed to excellence and customer satisfaction, providing tailored solutions for projects to minimise environmental impacts. We aim to exceed our client’s expectations and will ensure that your project meets the highest ecological and environmental management standards.
As you browse our website, we hope you choose to contact us for your environmental consultancy needs. Some of our key services can be accessed on the links below.
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