OUR PROJECTS
Armstrong McCaul was formed in 1994 by two very experienced ecologists from a conservation background. While we still offer the high-quality surveys and consultancy that we set up to perform, our combined experience of over 45 years "in the business" has led to us developing in specialist areas, including Aviation Ornithology.
Airport Planning and Development
Following our initial involvement in a research project (developing a GIS model of Birdstrike Hazard Assessment with the University of Northumbria), we were asked to contribute to planning applications by several major airports and have since become respected experts in this field. As our reputation grew, we were invited to assist several international airports (usually by their legal teams who were aware of our track record). Success has followed success and we have now appeared as Expert Witnesses for several airports and contributed Environmental Statements, Impact Assessments, specialist surveys and advice to many more.
Our combination of expert ornithological knowledge and our experience working with airports inevitably led to our ever-growing involvement in Birdstrike Issues. The factors that control bird populations are the same for bird control as they are for conservation and the application of this understanding has been seamless. For example, when a large international airport asked us how they could reduce the number of swans, close to their runways, we recommended changes in their management approach. The results for the 4 years before our advice and the 1 year after are presented in the graph.
Habitat Management and Birdstrike
Ecological Surveys
With over 45 years of experience "in the field", we are very well acquainted with nearly all of the survey techniques required for UK ecological surveys. Specialists in all forms of bird surveys, we also cover amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, mammals, plants and communities. This allows us to offer our clients a full package that should satisfy most of their requirements. If however, more specialist surveys are required as part of a package - you can be sure we will know the right person to involve with our team.