Content
Great crested newt scoping survey
An initial great crested newt scoping survey is generally carried out as part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. A desk top study is carried out to identify any water bodies within 500m of a site in the first instance, followed by a field survey to determine if the terrestrial habitat on site is suitable for newts and if adjacent water bodies (to which access can be gained) are likely to support breeding newts.
A Habitat Suitability Index assessment is often applied to ponds (water bodies) to help determine their potential to support breeding great crested newts.
Great crested newt aquatic surveys
If a development or an activity is determined likely to impact a water body with potential to support great crested newts, or impact terrestrial land around a suitable water body, a presence/absence survey may be required. The traditional approach to determine presence/absence is to undertake aquatic surveys of the water body.
These aquatic surveys entail several site visits involving a number of survey methods including egg searching, bottle trapping, torching and netting of the water body.
To establish presence/absence four survey occasions are undertaken. If newts are confirmed present a further two survey occasions may be needed to determine a population estimate to inform an impact assessment of the proposed development or activity.
Great crested newt eDNA survey
Great crested newt environmental DNA (eDNA) testing of water bodies is the other recognised method to determine presence/absence. This method involves sampling the water body for the presence of great crested newt DNA and is usually cheaper and faster than the traditional aquatic surveys.
However this method can only establish presence/absence. If a population estimate is needed then six traditional aquatic surveys will still be required. We will advise whether eDNA is appropriate for your project.
Other survey approaches can be employed either in conjunction with aquatic or eDNA survey methods or to obtain additional useful information on the potential impacts to great crested newts from a proposed development or activity.
Timing of surveys
- The initial scoping survey can be carried out at any time of year and can be undertaken as part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal although the optimal time of year is during the vegetation growing season from April – May onwards;
- Aquatic presence/absence great crested newt surveys – mid-March to mid-June (four survey visits). At least two of the surveys need to be undertaken between mid-April and mid-May;
- Aquatic population size class assessment - mid-March to mid-June (two survey visits in addition to the presence/absence surveys- six survey visits in total). At least three of the surveys need to be between mid-April and mid-May;
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) presence/absence surveys – late-April to end-June (one survey visit);
- Other survey approaches e.g. larvae presence/absence surveys (generally August to September).
Mitigation and licencing
If a great crested newt presence is identified it may be possible for a development or activity to proceed following a precautionary working methodology to prevent disturbance of great crested newts or damage/destruction of their habitat.
If this is unavoidable then a European Protected Species Licence or a Low Impact Class Licence from Natural England may be needed for a development or activity to proceed.
The content of the licence will vary on a site by site basis but usually includes sensitive timing of works and/or trapping and/or translocation of great crested newts out of a proposed working area, potentially using specialist fencing and pitfall traps.
You may also need to provide new terrestrial habitat or enhance existing habitat, which may involve providing breeding habitat, such as ponds.
Legislation
Great crested newts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
This makes it an offence to kill, injure or disturb a great crested newt, or to damage, destroy, prohibit or obstruct access to places of refuge. Under the legislation it is also an offence to cause disturbance which is likely to impair a great crested newt’s ability to survive, breed, hibernate and/or migrate.
Note
The above information is based on standard guidelines and current UK legislation. Every site is unique so please contact a Torc Ecology consultant who will advise on the best survey approach in relation to the project requirements.
Facts about great crested newts!
The great crested newt is the UK's largest newt and lives the majority of its life on land within grasslands, hedgerows and woodlands as well as under piles of logs and stones to feed, rest and hibernate.
Breeding takes place in ponds, ditches and other non-flowing water bodies between March and June, with juvenile great crested newts generally leaving these water bodies in August and September.
Despite being relatively widespread in lowland Britain, the great crested newt has suffered a significant decline within the last 40 years and is protected under European and UK legislation.
Deterioration of habitat, including pond loss, degradation and habitat fragmentation, continues to be the biggest threat to the long-term future of this amphibian.
