Great Crested Newts

Great Crested Newt is a European-Protected Species and receives special protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Where this species may be present near a development site, it is essential to undertake appropriate survey work and devise a suitable mitigation scheme should this species be found to be present.

BiOME ecologists are fully licenced to undertake
Great Crested Newt surveys.

This is likely to initially involve a habitat suitability assessment (HSI), potentially followed by environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, presence/absence surveys and population estimates.

We also possess extensive experience in the implementation of large-scale mitigation schemes associated with development projects, including translocation, the installation of exclusion fencing and habitat management and creation.

Selected References

  • ARG UK (2010). ARG UK Advice Note 5: Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index. Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the United Kingdom. 

  • English Nature (2001). Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough

  • Gent A and Bray R (eds) (2001). Conservation and Management of Great Crested Newts. English Nature, Peterborough

  • Langton, T.E.S., Beckett, C.L., and Foster, J.P. (2001). Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook, Froglife, Halesworth. 

  • Oldham R.S., Keeble J., Swan M.J.S. & Jeffcote M. (2000). Evaluating the suitability of habitat for the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus). Herpetological Journal 10(4), 143-155.

  • Williams, P. & Biggs, J. (2012). Change in great crested newt Habitat Suitability Index between 1996 and 2007 assessed using lowland Countryside Survey data. JNCC Report, No.467

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Contact us for more information about our Great Crested Newts Service