About Us
aLyne Ecology Ltd., began as the London & South East office of Acorn Ecology, which was established by Sarah Lyne CEnv BSc (Hons) MCIEEM and Sue Searle BSc PGDip MCIEEM in April 2014. Sarah quickly established a portfolio of loyal clients and the office expanded, moving to a large cabin in Sarah’s garden in Bookham, Surrey near Leatherhead in December 2018. Sarah took the London & South East office of Acorn Ecology under her own company name of aLyne Ecology Ltd. in May 2019, with Martin Roche and Josh Brown as the core team. In 2023, Lucie Bloomfield joined the team, Megan Beard joined the team in 2024, and in 2025 Charlie Gardiner also joined the team on a permanent basis. aLyne Ecology is also supported by Nick Gray, Lyndon Roberts, and a team of experienced bat surveyors in the survey season. We are also joined by the office dogs, cat, and chickens, who help to reduce stress and make us smile!
We believe that aLyne Ecology Ltd differs from other small ecological consultancies, in that we can swiftly mobilise ecologists, using the most up-to-date survey equipment from our highly organised office. We can offer a turnaround on protected species reports of 3 to 5 working days following completion of the survey. We have a wealth of expertise in a comprehensive range of ecological survey and assessment techniques, compliant with current best practice and survey standards set out by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and British Standards (BS) 42020 Biodiversity – a code of practice for planning and development.
The dedicated, reliable, and friendly team at aLyne Ecology Ltd are committed to delivering a bespoke service, which is within our client’s budget and timescale. If you require ecological advice for your devleopment, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sarah Lyne CEnv BSc (Hons) MCIEEM. Managing Director. Principal Ecologist.
Sarah has worked full-time as an ecological consultant for over 25 years and is a Chartered Environmentalist (Society for the Environment) and a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. Sarah has extensive experience in all methods of habitat and protected species surveys, Ecological Impact Assessment, Habitat Regulations Assessment, ecological input into supplementary planning guidance, preparation of local biodiversity action plans, mitigation and management strategies, habitat creation and enhancement and European Protected Species License applications. Sarah holds a NE licence for great crested newts and a NE Class 2 licence for bats.
In her spare time, she enjoys going for long walks in the countryside with her dogs, practicing yoga, gardening, and tending to her chickens. Sarah has a bat carers licence that she uses to look after injured bats, and occasionally fosters dogs rescued from puppy farms for a local dog rescue charity.
Martin Roche BSc (Hons) ACIEEM. Senior Ecologist.
Martin graduated with a degree in Zoology with honours from Royal Holloway University of London in 2015. After working different jobs involving dogs, fish, and reptiles, Martin wanted to pursue a career in ecology and enrolled onto the Acorn Ecology Certificate in Ecological Consultancy PLUS in 2017.
He now works full time at aLyne Ecology as a Senior Ecologist and is an Associate member of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. Martin has had extensive experience conducting habitat surveys and protected species surveys. Martin holds NE licences for great crested newts and hazel dormice, and a NE Class 2 bat licence.
In his spare time, Martin keeps tropical fish and a leopard gecko as well as going on country walks with his dog. Martin has a National Dormouse Monitoring Program site in association with the Surrey Dormouse Group and has completed a twenty-week bee-keeping course.
Josh Brown BSc (Hons). Senior Ecologist.
Josh graduated with a degree in Ecology with honours from Royal Holloway University of London in 2018. Josh started a work placement with Acorn Ecology. He continued his training with aLyne Ecology whilst also volunteering with Knepp Rewilding Estate.
Josh has been an Ecologist with aLyne Ecology since 2019 and has gained extensive experience in surveying for protected species including great crested newts, reptiles, bats, and dormice. Josh holds a NE licence for great crested newts and also has a bird ringing licence, which he exercises with Papercourt Bird Ringing Group on his weekends. They visit several different sites in the local area, but favour the site with vast reed beds due to its exciting diversity and abundance of birds. Josh is currently working towards his licences for hazel dormice and bats.
When he is not ringing birds in his spare time, he enjoys playing football and going on country walks with his dog.
Charlie Gardiner BSc (Hons). Senior Ecologist.
Charlie graduated with a degree in Wildlife Ecology Conservation from Sparsholt College in 2018. Charlie has worked in ecological consultancy since 2017 and has worked for a number of consultancies in the south east of England, and has worked for aLyne Ecology part-time from 2021, joining the team permanently in 2025.
Charlie considers himself a 'jack of all trades' in ecology and has worked on a great variety of projects from film sets to large-scale development sites. Charlie manages projects from the intial stages to final mitigation phases. Charlie holds NE licence for great crested newts and rare reptiles. Charlie is working towards his licences for hazel dormice and bats.
In his spare time, Charlie is a keen railway enthusiast and is often working on his model railway and visitng heritage lines. Charlie is also a volunteer with his local amphibian, reptile, and bat groups in Surrey and Hampshire.
Lucie Bloomfield BA (Hons). Assistant Ecologist.
Lucie graduated with a degree in Religions, Philosophies, and Ethics from Bath Spa University in 2021, having specialised in environmental philosophy. After a month as a voluntary research assistant on a conservation project, Lucie started an internship with aLyne Ecology in October 2022. Lucie has gained experience in surveys for protected species including reptiles, bats, and dormice. Lucie joined aLyne Ecology permanently in 2023 as an Assistant Ecologist. Lucie holds a NE licence for great crested newts.
Lucie spends her spare time growing vegetables and cooking them, with varying degrees of success. She also volunteers with Bat Conservation Trust and is an advisor for a community engagement forum for CICs and charities in her local area.
Megan Beard BSc (Hons). Assistant Ecologist.
Megan graduated with a degree in Ecology from Canterbury Christ Church University in 2022. After working as a geography teacher for a year and volunteering with the RSPB for seven months, Megan joined aLyne Ecology Ltd as an Assisstant Ecologist in April 2024.
In her free time, Megan enjoys reading and painting. Megan is also a volunteer with the Surrey and Sussex Bat Groups and Surrey Dormouse Group.
Nick Gray BSc (Hons) ACIEEM. Senior Ecologist.
Following a 16 year career in the aviation industry, Nick completed a degree in Natural Sciences with Biology through the Open University. With tailored support from Acorn Ecology Training, he then moved into a new career in ecology. Nick was a member of the London & South East team of Acorn Ecology since summer 2016 and has been working with the aLyne Ecology team since 2019.
Nick holds Natural England protected species licences for dormice, great crested newts, and a Class 2 licence for bats.
In his spare time, Nick is a volunteer with local wildlife conservation teams including being a committee member for Sussex Bat Group. He enjoys reading, walking, sailing, and historical re-enactment.
