All areas identified as having known black grouse lek potential will be surveyed (Following the methods of Gilbert et al 2011). In addition to known lek areas, other areas of the estate with suitable lek habitat (woodland edges, rush pasture mosaics etc) will be surveyed to identify additional lek locations. Known leks and all areas of suitable lek habitat will be visited up to twice between mid-March and May surveying from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunrise to count the peak number of males present.

A breeding bird survey will be undertaken across all open areas of the estate and a buffer out to 500m, where accessible.Method will follow that of an adapted Brown and Shepherd (1993) and Breeding Bird Survey methodology (BTO, 2003); all areas of the site will be walked to within 100m and all birds and behaviours will be mapped. Up to 6 visits will be undertaken between April-July (inclusive). All registrations recorded will be input to GIS software and analysed using the methods of Calladine et al (2009) to estimate the number of likely territories present.

Habitats will be recorded as per the Phase 1 Habitat Methodology (JNCC, 2016). The Phase 1 Survey documents habitats to a recognised standard and also records any stands of invasive non-native plants. This level of survey allows for the broad habitat types to be mapped in order to identify potentially sensitive habitats such as wetland areas which may have GWDTE potential or areas of habitat which may qualify as EC Annex 1 habitats (at time of UK exit).Aerial imagery will be consulted and overlain on top of the Site boundary. Visible habitat extend will be mapped in GIS software and surveyed in the field assigning Phase 1 codes to each habitat. Habitat condition sheets as per UKHab V2 (2023) will also be recorded.

Following identification of the broad habitats across the site as noted above, further vegetation survey will be undertaken to map habitats as per the National Vegetation Classification (JNCC, 2006). Reference will be made to ‘British Plant Communities’ Volumes 1-3, (Rodwell, 1991, 1991 & 1997,) and an ‘Illustrated Guide to British Upland Vegetation’ (Averis, 2004).

Following the NVC survey, all habitats with a potential reliance on a ground water sources, as defined by SEPAs Guidance note 31, will be mapped and assigned a GWDTE dependency rating of high, moderate or low. Where high and moderate potential GWDTE are present, a hydrogeological analysis will be undertaken to identify the water supply mechanism for each habitat and confirm

A protected species survey will be undertaken to identify signs indicating the presence or likely presence of protected and notable species, including; otter, badger, pine marten, red squirrel and water vole. Given the location of the site it is assumed wildcat and beaver are not likely to be present. Field signs such as footprints, feeding remains, places of shelter, scat etc will be recorded. Where field signs indicate the likely presence of protected species, additional works may be required to fully assess the species use of the site (such as camera trapping a badger sett to determine levels of activity)

A cumulative impact assessment will be undertaken taking into consideration the potential impacts of the proposed woodland scheme in conjunction with neighbouring projects. Consideration will be made to both potential negative and positive impacts from the developments