The Wilder Humber project is a collaboration between Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, and energy company Ørsted. The project aims to restore the endemic habitat and species of the Humber estuary, particularly focussing on saltmarsh, seagrass and native oyster reefs.

As part of this 5-year project, Exo Environmental have been contracted to monitor biodiversity at two sites on opposite sides of the estuary: one at Spurn Point on the north shore, and the other at Horseshoe point on the south. We began our monitoring in Summer 2024 and continued with another visit in Winter 2025.

This monitoring specifically focuses on the collection of environmental DNA (eDNA), which is simply the genetic material released by an organism. This material can be found in both sediment and water samples, depending on the type of organism you are looking to detect.

In the case of this project, both sample types have been taken, with sediment samples being collected from predetermined 1m2 plots. Surveys are conducted in both summer and winter to assess and account for seasonal differences, altogether ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the Humber’s biodiversity.

All samples were then sent to a genome laboratory for analysis, with the results of this being compiled into a full report for Wilder Humber. A 2024/25 report has already been completed, and we are scheduled to repeat the sampling again later this year.

In early 2025, Exo Environmental fulfilled the role of Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) for Norfolk County Council to oversee the replacement of the damaged Moorgate footbridge over the River Bure near Blickling Hall.

An ECoW is an essential part of any construction project, providing expert advice and assistance to project managers to make sure they keep in line with environmental legislation and licence conditions

This project specifically required an ECoW due to the sensitive nature of the Bure’s chalk watercourse and the protected species that inhabit it too, including water voles and otters.

One of our team was on-site each day during the works to monitor for any indication that these protected species may be present. We also monitored the dissolved oxygen levels in the river, using a YSI EXO 3 multi-parameter sonde.

After two weeks, the works were successfully completed, with no damage to the chalk river or the species which inhabit it. Thankfully, the new footbridge is now open to the public, meaning local walkers will no longer have to take a two-mile detour!

In 2024, Exo Environmental, completed a number of bat surveys at properties managed by Landmarc on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Bat surveys are necessary for any building scheduled for development that may have the potential to support bat roosts. This is because all British bat species are protected, thus disturbing or damaging their roosts is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.  

Preliminary surveys were initially carried out to explore whether or not the buildings possessed the viability for bat nesting. Though the roof structure and design of many of these properties immediately ruled them out, certain older buildings were found to have a high chance of providing the perfect home for these flying mammals.

Consequently, teams of 2 to 3 returned back to these older buildings at night to carry out emergence surveys of any potential bats going to and from their roosts. Using static thermal cameras and handheld recording devices, the teams were able to calculate the number and frequency of bat flybys to then determine whether these figures were reflective of bat roosting.

As expected, the results varied between each building. Therefore, we compiled a bespoke set of mitigations, which were provided within a unique report for each property.