Great Crested Newt Survey

The Great Crested Newt is an amphibious species native to only Europe, predominantly living in habitats such as Grassland, Freshwater, Farmland, Woodland, Mashes and Wetland. Great Crested Newts are nocturnal creatures, breeding in ponds and other shallow waters during the Spring, they mainly feed on worms, slugs, Invertebrates and other small species in water. 

Newts spend most of their time alive hibernating, from October to March every year. Common places of hibernation are within tree roots, underground or even in old walls.

The Great Crested Newt is the largest Newt species in the UK, with females larger than the males, growing up to 17cm in size. Their bodies are black or brown in colour with subtle spots and an orange belly. The Newts’ skin has a wart like texture covering almost all its body. 

The Great Crested News has existed for approximately 40 million years, but now, most Great Crested Newt populations are in decline and are protected under European Law as as well as the habitats they occupy.

Three Shires Ltd employ a wide range of survey techniques including: 

• Initial site appraisal using the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI);
• eDNA analysis of water samples;
• Standard presence/absence surveys and population size class assessments (bottle trapping, torching, netting, egg-searching and searching of refugia);
• Monitoring surveys (a condition of development licences).

We keep abreast of emerging research, policies and guidance to ensure that we can provide the best advice to our clients.

Our consultancy services include:

• Desk-based studies and consultation;
• Advice on legal protection and licensing;
• Input to and/or preparation of great crested newt masterplans;
• Preparation of non-licensed method statements;
• Preparation of method statements and co-ordination of licence submissions;
• Stakeholder liaison and negotiation
• Habitat enhancement and management plans for both development and conservation-led projects.

Where possible we will work with the project team to devise a way forward which avoids an impact on Great Crested Newts. Where impacts cannot be avoided and licensing is required, we are able to guide our clients through the licensing process. Three Shires Ecology has a proven track record in securing licences and are experienced in the preparation and implementation of mitigation strategies. We also have experience of working in geographical areas subject to district licensing.

Our great crested newt mitigation capability includes:

• Identification of suitable receptor sites;
• Site-based advice and supervision of habitat creation and restoration (including ponds, terrestrial habitat and Hibernacula) and design advice on tunnels and underpasses;
• Advice and supervision during amphibian exclusion fencing installation;
• Pitfall trapping, refuge searching and torchlight searches to improve capture rates;
• Hand-searches, destructive search and providing a watching brief service;
• Post-mitigation monitoring and advice.

Our ecologists have extensive experience of trapping and relocating great crested newt under licence. For larger schemes we are able to draw upon our network of sub-contractors; this allows us to complete surveys and large-scale newt mitigation work efficiently throughout the UK.

The works that took place at Coxhoe, County Durham, Northumberland were required as part of a residential development where Great Crested Newts (GCN) were recorded during ecological surveys undertaken.

The site prior to ecological enhancement comprised a species poor horse grazed field offering negligible potential to support GCN during the terrestrial phase with no breeding potential.

Once the ponds were dug and lined, a layer of topsoil was spread over the liner to allow plants to root. The ponds were then filled with water from a river at the bottom of the site and planted with various aquatic and marginal plants which offered shelter, oxygenation, egg laying substrates and food plants for invertebrates - needed for prey by both adult and juvenile GCN.

Three Hibernacula were then created using 28 tons of Gabion stone sourced from a local quarry. The locations of the h

Hibernacula were first agreed with the supervising ecologist with the grass stripped from the areas to be used as weatherproof coverings for the Hibernacula once built.

As the grassland in the area was very species poor, over-seeding was prescribed to increase the floral diversity of the area which took place by first disturbing the ground with a disc harrow until a suitable tilth had been created after which a wildflower rich seed mix was spread using a quadbike and seed spreader.

Areas of scrub were then planted within the GCN receptor area to offer shelter for newts, nesting birds, small mammals.