Great Crested Newts
Newts are amphibians (i.e. they live both in water and on land). The Great Crested Newt is Britain's largest newt species but one that has seen a significant decline in numbers and size of its populations. It is one of four amphibians which are UK priority species within the UK and regional Biodiversity Action Plans.
Great crested newts are found throughout mainland Britain although they are much less likely to be found in the far south-west of England, northern Scotland and west Wales. Great crested newts are fully protected under law due to a dramatic decline in the latter half of the 20th Century, primarily due to pond loss and habitat fragmentation. Common and palmate newts, which do not receive the same level of legal protection in the UK, are sometimes encountered more often than great crested newts.
Newt protection and surveys are a cornerstone of our work here at The Ecology Consultancy. We have extensive experience on small and large projects for clients the length and breadth of the UK. All our offices have fully licensed specialists in newts and amphibians.
Great crested newts are found throughout mainland Britain although they are much less likely to be found in the far south-west of England, northern Scotland and west Wales. Great crested newts are fully protected under law due to a dramatic decline in the latter half of the 20th Century, primarily due to pond loss and habitat fragmentation. Common and palmate newts, which do not receive the same level of legal protection in the UK, are sometimes encountered more often than great crested newts.
Newt protection and surveys are a cornerstone of our work here at The Ecology Consultancy. We have extensive experience on small and large projects for clients the length and breadth of the UK. All our offices have fully licensed specialists in newts and amphibians.
The Law
Great crested newts receive full legal protection under The Conservation of Species and Habitats Regulations 2010 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is illegal to deliberately injure, kill, capture or disturb a great crested newt, or to damage, destroy or obstruct any places used for shelter and protection.
Only ecologists licensed to survey great crested newts or disturb them as part of a mitigation scheme may capture or handle them.
Breaking the law can lead to fines of up to £5,000 per offence and potential prison sentences of up to six months. Vehicles implicated in an offence can be impounded and both the company and/or the individual(s) concerned can be held liable.
Only ecologists licensed to survey great crested newts or disturb them as part of a mitigation scheme may capture or handle them.
Breaking the law can lead to fines of up to £5,000 per offence and potential prison sentences of up to six months. Vehicles implicated in an offence can be impounded and both the company and/or the individual(s) concerned can be held liable.
Expert Great Crested Newt Consultants
Our consultants can advise on and carry out all aspects of great crested newt conservation and protection, from thorough field surveys to mitigation work and habitat enhancement.
Our ecologists have worked on a range of rural and urban development projects including:
- A pond restoration project for Peter, Lord Melchett, on his organic farm in Norfolk
- Great crested newt population estimates for all ponds within 500m of four different sections of the M25 motorway to inform the current widening scheme
- A translocation programme over a 9ha site in East Sussex for a proposed mixed use residential and retail development
- A survey of a series of farmland and golf course ponds to inform the expansion of a Goals Soccer Centre in south-east London
Great Crested Newt Surveys and Mitigation
Great crested newts occur in rural, urban and suburban habitats. They are more readily found within small to medium sized ponds but can be found in any body of water on site including ditches, temporary pools and swales. They spend most of their year on land – in grassland, scrub, hedgerows and woodland and under logs and stones within 250m to 500m of the breeding pond, although some disperse as far as 1km away. They are largely nocturnal. Breeding takes place between mid-March and mid-June when they are most likely to be encountered in ponds.
Our expert and licensed ecologists undertake:
- Habitat Suitability Index calculation as an aid to determining likely presence and to target further surveys
- Pond surveys during the breeding season
- Terrestrial surveys outside the breeding season but when newts are still active
- Translocation and other forms of mitigation
Our ecology team also includes experienced countryside contractors who can carry out all aspects of habitat management and creation including:
- Amphibian/reptile exclusion and drift fencing, including both TAF and semi-permanent types
- Supply and installation of pit fall traps
- Log piles and hibernacula
- Grassland seeding and maintenance
- Tree, scrub planting and hedgerow establishment
- Pond construction and restoration
Working with Great Crested Newts
All our experts have undertaken training and are fully licensed to handle great crested newts. The Ecology Consultancy works within Natural England's latest guidelines.
About Us
Our client base is broad and includes local authorities, infrastructure engineers, utility companies, planning consultants, architects and private developers such as farmers. We have been involved in small and large property development projects, working closely with all agencies involved. As experienced wildlife consultants, we are used to dealing with all legal and commercial issues surrounding protected species.
We guarantee you a high quality service, with a strong focus on our clients. We are happy to give free initial advice and can provide robust fee-quotes. We provide timely, high quality reports of our work to all stakeholders.
We guarantee you a high quality service, with a strong focus on our clients. We are happy to give free initial advice and can provide robust fee-quotes. We provide timely, high quality reports of our work to all stakeholders.
News story:
Great Crested Newts - time for action!
The Ecology Consultancy generally surveys for GCN from March to June, when the animals are most active. Our ecologists set bottle-traps in the evening and return to the site in the early hours of the morning to count, sex and release the newts.
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