01 / ASSESSMENT
Field & desktop assessment
Ecological constraints, literature and spatial review, targeted field survey and evidence for project planning.
Independent ecological consulting
SongbirdEcology
Understanding nature.
Informing better decisions
Practical ecological assessment grounded in compliant survey, sound science and understanding of Australian landscapes and ecosystems.
Explore our workA field-led approach
Know the landscape. Understand the impact.
Songbird Ecology brings field observation and rigorous biodiversity assessment together to support informed decisions about land, development and conservation.
Led by ecologist Nigel Cotsell, the practice works across complex habitats and project settings, from threatened species surveys and vegetation assessment to biodiversity offsets and renewable energy developments.
What we do
Ecology services
Specialist assessment from early project scoping through field surveys, reporting and environmental approvals.
02 / SURVEY
Flora & fauna surveys
Habitat, vegetation and threatened species surveys designed around the site and the questions that matter.
03 / BIODIVERSITY
BAM & biodiversity assessment
Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports, stewardship assessments and offset requirements under the NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method.
04 / VEGETATION
Flora, ecosystems & plant communities
Plant community identification, vegetation mapping, ecological community assessment and condition analysis.
05 / ENERGY
Renewable energy ecology
Ecological support for wind, solar and battery energy storage developments, including constraints and impact assessment.
06 / CONSERVATION
Conservation & offsets
Practical advice on biodiversity stewardship, threatened species, habitat values and offset pathways.
07 / PREDATOR MANAGEMENT
Integrated Predator Control
Predator detection, monitoring and coordinated management programs for threatened species and sensitive habitats.
Songbird Ecology is particularly invested in feral cat control at a landscape level and is working on a Dutch-Australian conservation technology partnership to make this a reality.
08 / THREATENED SPECIES
Threatened species
We undertake surveys for threatened flora and fauna listed under State and Commonwealth legislation.
Expert surveys and assessments to identify and evaluate threatened flora and fauna species populations and habitats. Our botanists have the capability to design and undertake surveys to meet the requirements of the BAM. We can prepare Threatened Species Management Plans and threatened flora and fauna management plans, including Koala plans of management.
Our services include threatened species monitoring and long-term monitoring programs to track the population status and health of threatened flora and fauna.
Mountain wax-flower
Ruby salt bushFlora & ecosystems
Reading the detail in a landscape.
Every plant community tells a story of place, time and succession. Songbird Ecology combines field botany, habitat interpretation and spatial evidence to identify ecological values and inform defensible assessment.
Discuss an assessment
Songbird Ecology acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work. We recognise their enduring connection to Country and their knowledge and care of its lands, waters and biodiversity.
Renewable energy & ecology
Better project decisions start on the ground.
Renewable infrastructure needs clear ecological evidence early. Nigel has worked on wind, solar, hydro and battery energy storage projects across Australia, with experience in biodiversity assessment, threatened species and offset requirements.
Songbird Ecology helps project teams understand constraints, target fieldwork and prepare the ecological evidence needed for planning and approval.
Talk about a projectAbout the practice
Experienced ecology, personally led.
“Climate change will fundamentally reshape ecosystems and the diversity of life they sustain. We all share a responsibility to protect as much of that life as we can”
Nigel Cotsell is the Director and Principal Ecologist of Songbird Ecology Pty Ltd.
His career spans ecological consulting, threatened species programs, natural resource management and environmental assessment across government and the private sector. Since 2021, Songbird Ecology has delivered biodiversity and ecological assessment for clients across Australia and Oceania.
Nigel has been an accredited NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method assessor since 2017. He holds a Master of Natural Resources from the University of New England and a Bachelor of Science from the Australian National University.
Songbird Ecology works with a range of sub-consultants who are experts in their field of botany, field ecology, environmental planning, aquatic ecology and spatial analysis.
BAM accreditedAssessor BAAS18026
Field to reportSurvey, interpretation and assessment
From the field
Nature in close focus
We have a range of specialised fauna survey equipment in-house including: Camera traps, elliot traps as well as acoustic and ultrasonic recorders.
Start a conversation
Have an ecological assessment in mind?
Contact Nigel to discuss a site, a survey requirement or ecological support for your project.
nigel@songbirdecology.com.auEmail Songbird Ecology