Great-crested Newt Surveys

Great-crested newt - a protected species in UK
The presence of Great-crested newts on or near a development site will require the completion of ecological surveys and mitigation measures by a licensed ecologist

The Great-crested Newt (GCN) is a protected species in the UK, so it and its habitats must be fully considered throughout all phases of development projects. This page outlines what might be involved in surveys and preparing mitigation proposals, whilst examples of how we have assisted project teams at Llanilid and Ponthir with surveys and habitat suitability assessments are available elsewhere. If you want to discuss how we might help with your project, please contact us.

Key Info

  • Great-crested newts are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
  • Great-crested newts are a Priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and should be considered during planning and development.
  • Surveys for Great-crested newts require a licence from the appropriate environmental agency.
  • We are licensed to complete Great-crested Newt surveys.

Surveys

Great-crested newts are generally found in or around standing water such as ponds and ditches, although they can travel reasonable distances from water. They usually hibernate in winter to protect themselves from the cold, generally becoming active again in the spring.

GCNs might also shelter during poor weather throughout the rest of the year, so surveys are best undertaken when the weather is dry, with air temperature >5oC, water temperature >10oC, and little wind.

Between 4 and 6 surveys within the period March to September may be required to detect presence of GCNs within, or to confirm their absence from, a water body.

Surveys might include:

  • Searches of local ecological records for any history of presence in and around the area.
  • Completion of a habitat suitability assessment.
  • Searches for eggs (Apr – Jun), artificial egg strips might be employed.
  • Looking for efts (Aug – Sep).
  • Netting in areas around vegetation at edges of water bodies (Adults, Mar – May, Juveniles, Aug – Sep).
  • Searching for adults by torchlight in and around water body (Adults, Mar to Jun; Juveniles, Jul – Sep).
  • Bottle trapping (Mar – May).
  • Environmental DNA testing.