Invertebrate Survey of Barton and Barrow Clay Pits, North Lincolnshire, within Humber Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest

Tender description

Surveys of the invertebrates associated with key habitats (freshwater/brackish lakes, springs/seepage, marginal vegetation, reedbed and willow scrub) within the Barton and Barrow Clay Pits, North Lincolnshire, using standard sampling protocols. To characterise the invertebrate assemblages and assess their quality and condition, using Pantheon, a database tool developed by Natural England and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. To record brief habitat data, including salinity of the water, to aid understanding of the habitat requirements of the assemblages.To provide habitat management recommendations for the invertebrate assemblages. Surveys will focus on the best quality areas, which are within 11 SSSI units. 2 early season visits and 2 late season visits will be made between mid-April and mid-August 2023. A minimum of 8 sample locations are specified. There are sensitive areas for breeding birds, including Schedule 1 species, and instructions must be followed to avoid disturbance. Standard sampling protocols are to be used which are a combination of standardised methods, passive trapping and free-ranging searches and must include: ground searching, pond netting, spot sweeping, sweep netting, pitfall traps. There must also be a specific search for the bryozoan Lophopus crystallinus. Principal taxa to be surveyed are: Coleoptera, Diptera, Heteroptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Mollusca, Neuroptera, Odonata, Trichoptera, Spiders. Contract to start w/c 3 April 2023 and to be completed by 15 March 2024. To apply for this opportunity you must submit your quotation meeting the requirements detailed in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) attached. Your response must be sent to morwenna.christian@naturalengland.org.uk by 17:00 on 24 March 2023. If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity or the procurement process please submit these via email to morwenna.christian@naturalengland.org.uk. Please note that, unless commercially sensitive, both the question and the response will be circulated to all tenderers.