21-23 North Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1LN - Tel: 01992 552407, mail: reception@jonesandsons.co.uk

Reptile Habitat Manipulation has a number of uses on development sites. Often it is nessecary for geo-exploration or archaeology to take place at an early stage as part of the management of the project and also as a component of the planning application.

 

This often presents conflicting issues with affecting reptiles and the protection afforded to them under the legislation due to the size and destructive nature of the mechanical plant used.

 

The hand held flail (strimmer) in the wrong hands and the tractor powered topper are particularly hazardous to reptiles and could have potential legal issues where developers are aware that reptiles are present.

 

At Jones & Sons we have developed a particular technique which safley protects the reptiles while still enabling these explorations to proceed.

 

The Jones & Sons technique employes a specially adapted light weight power scyth running at low speed at different cut hights. Together this allows the skilled operator to see ahead in to the vegitation cover to spot dormant animals and the speed and vibration of the machine allows the animals time to move out of the way. Cuttings are moved out of the way by high speed blower, further disturbing any animals. The final cut to bare ground is done by hand flail once the ground can be clearly seen.

 

The areas and track ways cut can then be used and maintained as necessary.