Dr. William O’Connor is a senior environmental scientist who has over 20 year’s professional ecological management experience. He is a graduate of the University of Wales, Cardiff where he was awarded an MSc degree in Applied Hydrobiology, and the National University of Ireland, Galway where he received a PhD degree in Zoology. He is a Fellow of the Society of Biology and also a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, and the Institute of Fisheries Management. He was employed as a Senior Fisheries Biologist with the Electricity Supply Board during the period 1992-1998, and has been working as a private environmental consultant since 1999.
William is an environmental consultant who has extensive experience in environmental consultancy, managing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for large scale projects on behalf of public and private clients; including national infrastructural and renewable energy developments. William’s primary environmental consultancy expertise lies in water quality, fisheries and aquatic ecology; with significant research and project experience in freshwater fisheries management, fish passage requirements, fish stock assessments, water quality assessments and surveys for protected aquatic species (including lamprey species, white-clawed crayfish and pearl mussels). In addition to aquatic ecology William has wide ranging experience in ecological survey methodologies in marine and terrestrial environments, having carried out intertidal and benthic sampling surveys; wintering and breeding bird surveys, bat roosting and activity surveys; non-volant mammal surveys; and amphibian surveys.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published new guidance in January 2019 for bats surveys at wind farm sites. These new guidelines are entitled “Bats and onshore wind turbines – survey, assessment and mitigation”. The document incorporates findings from the latest research on the impact of wind farms on bats. It is endorsed by all the statutory […]
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We are one of the leading companies in Ireland providing mammal surveys and assessments. We provide expert advise on both bats and terrestrial non-volant (i.e. non-flying) mammals. We undertake surveys for all terrestrial non-volant mammal species in Ireland, including Badger, Otter, Red Squirrel, Pine Marten, and non-native American Mink, among others. Our staff are fully […]
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We were delighted to work recently with BBC Earth on a documentary on Sea Lampreys Petromyzon marinus. The filming took place during early-June 2017 on the old River Shannon at Castleconnell, Co Limerick. This is part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation, and Sea Lampreys are a key conservation interest of this […]
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A major new book will be published in May 2017 entitled ‘Wildlife and Wind Farms: Conflicts and Solutions’. Volume 1 of this book includes a chapter prepared by Ecofact Principal Ecologist Dr. William O’Connor. The two-volume set provides a comprehensive overview of the interactions between wind farms and wildlife, each volume dedicated to one of the two […]
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Our staff are currently undertaking a number of wintering bird surveys in the Irish Midlands. Here we have provided some photos and videos from bird surveys we undertook during December 2015. Our bird surveys are undertaken to inform both the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) reports being prepared for proposed wind energy […]
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