Protected species

If you have concerns regarding works taking place that could be harming protected species such as bats, great crested newts, badgers, water voles or breeding birds, then first check whether a crime might be taking place via the Rural Crime Action Team at Cambridgeshire Police (external link), and then report it via their dedicated service (external link) or by calling 101.

If any works have been approved under a planning permission, the developers may be subject to conditions relating to protected species. As such, if you think harm is occurring, first report it to the Rural Crime Action Team using the above links, and second report it by emailing plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk where we will investigate any breach of planning permission. Please do not report your concerns only to the East Cambridgeshire District Council, because we do not have any significant powers to stop the harm from taking place or for prosecuting those who do the harm.

Finding out what plants and animals are officially registered as a 'protected species' is unfortunately not straight forward.

European protected animal and plant species can be found in Schedule 2 for animals (external link) and Schedule 4 for plants (external link) of The Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994. 

Additional UK protected animals and plants are named in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (external link) and the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (external link).

Whilst not a comprehensive list, the following includes some of the protected plants and animals that you might find in East Cambridgeshire:

• All species of bat (external link)
• All breeding birds including nests and eggs (external link)
• Great Crested Newts (external link)
• Reptiles (external link)
• Otters (external link)
• Water Voles (external link)
• Badgers (external link)
• Eels (external link)
• Fen Ragwort (external link), but not the Common Ragwort (external link)
• Trees which are classed as 'veteran trees' (external link)

Wildflower Picking and Foraging  

It is illegal to pick or uproot flowers, leaves, plants or mushrooms with the intention to sell them, unless you have the permission of the landowner. This includes public land. To do so is classed as theft, under section 4 of the Theft Act 1968 (external link).

If you do have the landowner's permission, and you do not intend to sell them, then it might be lawful for you to pick wildflowers as long as you do not uproot or otherwise harm any protected plants, as listed via the protected species legislation described above. However, even if picking a particular wildflower is not deemed unlawful, we strong discourage such activity as it can harm not only the plant and its reproduction ability, but also the many species that might rely on that flower for feeding or other purposes.

If you wish to report the picking or removal of any wildflowers, please contact the Rural Crime Action Team (external link) at Cambridgeshire Police.

Protected Trees and Hedges

There is a wide range of legislation which aims to protect trees and hedgerows. If you believe that harm might be being done to any tree or hedge that might be protected, please review our dedicated trees advice pages to find out more information and who to contact.

General Wildlife Welfare Concerns

Whilst some animals and plants have special protected status, the more everyday wildlife all around us is protected by a wide range of legislation. This is especially so in respect of the general welfare of animals. For a list of such legislation, the Wildlife Trust (external link) provides a useful resource.

Anyone with an immediate concern for an animal's welfare should contact the RSPCA (external link) or by calling 0300 123 4999. 

There are a number of local wildlife rescue centres in or near East Cambridgeshire which might be able to help with any sick or injured wild animal, such as a hedgehog.