About

Serotina Ecology is led by Mike Perkins MCIEEM, an experienced professional ecologist with over 11 years’ experience working across the public and private sectors. The consultancy provides specialist botanical, habitat, and biodiversity services across the North of England and beyond, supporting planning, land management, and conservation projects.

Mike has managed and delivered ecological projects of all sizes, from small site appraisals to complex, multi-disciplinary schemes for major developers, local authorities, and government agencies.

Serotina Ecology specialises in botanical and habitat survey and assessment, including National Vegetation Classification (NVC) and UK Habitat (UKHab) surveys, alongside Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessment and reporting and the preparation of Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs). The consultancy also undertakes targeted botanical and species surveys, supports agri-environment applications (PA1 and PA2), and delivers bespoke ecological training.

Mike is a FISC Accredited Level 5 botanist and was formerly the County Recorder for Butterflies in Northumberland, contributing to national datasets and advising on the conservation and management of priority species. He has held senior roles within ecological consultancy and statutory organisations, including work with Natural England as Product Owner for the Biodiversity Net Gain Register and as a Senior Adviser on Protected Sites and Peat Restoration within the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme.

He holds Natural England survey licences for bats (Class 2) and great crested newt (Class 1), is qualified in tree climbing and aerial rescue, and has extensive experience designing and delivering botanical and habitat training, including in-house programmes and mock FISC assessments.

When not out in the field, professionally or voluntarily, Mike enjoys outdoor and sporting pursuits, particularly climbing and mountaineering (where he can also look at plants!). He has also recently undertaken a month of fieldwork in Botswana, assisting with elephant cognition studies.

Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

  • Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (MCIEEM)

  • Affiliate Member of the Landscape Institute

  • Member of the CIEEM Working Group for Rebuilding Nature: Good Practice Guidance for Ecological Restoration and co-author of the Bog Chapter

  • FISC accredited Level 5 botanist

  • Former County Recorder for Butterflies (Northumberland)

  • Natural England survey licenses: Bats (Class 2) and Great Crested Newt (Class 1)

  • MSc Ecological Consultancy (Distinction)

  • BSc Environmental Geography

  • City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 – Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue

  • ITC Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work and Outdoor First Aid

  • A2 Certificate of Competency (UK CAA) – Drone Pilot Qualification