When Nature Moves In: a guide to managing wildlife in and around buildings

Description

The National Trust is one of the largest conservation charities in the United Kingdom and cares for hundreds of historic buildings. As well as thousands of visitors, plants and animals enter its properties and structures, often seeking shelter or food. Much of this coexistence is harmless, and threatened only by building maintenance or alterations. For the first time, this guide shares the Trust's decades of nature conservation and building expertise. It covers how to: #x95; plan work on buildings, including the relevant statutory requirements, what you can do and when to call in the professionals. #x95; identify signs and effects of habitation by common mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, insects and spiders, plants, lichens and fungi. #x95; reconcile, wherever possible, the needs of wildlife, the building or the human inhabitants without detriment to the others. Intended for everyone from house owners or those doing DIY to architects, builders and construction professionals, this book is a perfect introduction to building maintenance and repair without harming wildlife. This publication uniquely assists and advises on the essentials for all forms of wildlife, in addition to directing readers to specialised sources of expertise.;Foreword; How to use this guide; Part I: Planning work on buildings; Part II: Wildlife species and how to deal with them; This section covers animals, plants and other wildlife, when they are active and gives detailed guidance on:; Part I: Planning work on buildings; Statutory requirements; Statutory protection of wildlife; Statutory regulations on development and protection for buildings; Planning your building work; Building materials, improvements and their impact; Building in time for wildlife; What to look out for in particular areas; Part II: Wildlife species and how to deal with them. Foreword How to use this guide Part I: Planning work on buildings Part II: Wildlife species and how to deal with them This section covers animals, plants and other wildlife, when they are active and gives detailed guidance on: Part I: Planning work on buildings Statutory requirements Statutory protection of wildlife Statutory regulations on development and protection for buildings Planning your building work Building materials, improvements and their impact Building in time for wildlife What to look out for in particular areas Part II: Wildlife species and how to deal with them. Yearly activity cycle of key speciesThe location in the UK and the daily/seasonal temperature will affect exactly when wildlife is active. Note that the period immediately before or after hibernation/migration may be when the creature is most active, because of the need to feed. Identifying wildlife Mammals in and around buildings Identifying which mammals are around your building What you can do Sources of planning and development advice More information Birds in and around buildings Identifying which birds are around your building What you can do. Incorporating plants into buildings -- green roofs, living walls and turf wallsSources of planning and development advice More information Useful organisations Further reading Getting involved.