Effective, Approachable Ecology in Scotland

David Dodds Associates Ltd (DDAL) are an ecological consultancy delivering high-quality, affordable surveying, reporting, licensing, and mitigation in Scotland. We pride ourselves on supporting clients of all sizes to complete their proposed works on time and with our native wildlife protected.

About Us


Humans and wildlife regularly come into potential conflict. At DDAL, we help you navigate the ecological aspects of your proposed works, provide high-quality advice, and create unique solutions for your circumstances that protect you and our native wildlife.

We have over 17 years of experience in surveying, reporting, and managing hundreds of successful licence applications. Our team of ecologists provide the expertise you need to complete your project cost-effectively,  in line with legislative requirements, and confident that your ecological impacts have been mitigated.

Our work covers all aspects of protected species and habitat surveying, as well as contributing to research projects and providing high-quality training for other ecologists and industries.

DDAL in numbers


11

Specialist bat surveys in 2023

160

Seasonal field ecologists trained

150+

Licences held

100%

Licensing success

245

Stage 1 & 2 bat surveys in 2023

283

Ecology surveys in 2023

Our values


  • High Standards
    We provide the highest quality advice and recommendations to our clients by regularly investing in our staff’s training and development. We take feedback seriously, and are constantly striving to improve.

  • Good Value
    We will always provide the most pragmatic solutions for your needs. Our quotes are bespoke so you are only charged for what you need.

  • Professionalism
    Our ecologists respect your property, your neighbours, and the wildlife around you and act professionally at all times.

  • Approachability
    We are here for you at all stages of your project and will always use plain English in our reports and recommendations. Your understanding of our work is important to us.

  • Conserving Wildlife
    Wildlife conservation is at the heart of everything we do - it’s why we’re here!

We stand against:


  • Rip-off ecology
    We will not recommend unnecessary surveys, overly detailed reporting, or excessive efforts where they are not needed, and we will always be transparent in our costs.

  • Cowboy ecology
    We are often asked to re-do surveys completed by other ecologists that were not up to scratch. We will always deliver what you need to the highest standards.

  • Bureaucracy
    We protect you from as much bureaucracy as we can, and our internal operations are kept as free of unnecessary bureaucracy as possible.

  • Habitat destruction
    We take all matters of habitat protection seriously, including biosecurity and ensuring your proposed works are sensitive to the habitats around you.

  • Worthless mitigation
    We will only recommend mitigation strategies that are proven to work, trusted, and cost-effective to meet the needs of your application.