Great Crested Newt Survey

Why are great crested newts surveyed?

Great crested newts (GCN) are listed as a European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive. They are protected under the wildlife and countryside act (1981) and are a priority species under the UK post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

When do I need to have a great crested newt survey?

A GCN survey should be undertaken when any proposed development with suitable habitat within up to 500m of a pond is planned.

A GCN survey should be undertaken by a licensed surveyor, enabling them to legally disturb newts for the purpose of assessing potential development impacts. Surveys can be carried out between March and June as this is when GCN’s breed in ponds.

What does Abrehart Ecology offer?

Abrehart Ecology we offer professional, skilled, and efficient great crested newt survey work. We undertake in-house fieldwork and expert report writing, with our licenced employees.

           Fieldwork:

GCN surveys entail between four and six site visits to each waterbody ecologically connected to the proposed development site. Each visit uses three methods to search for GCN.

(1) Manually inspecting submerged vegetation for GCN eggs during daylight,

(2) Nocturnal searches for adult GCN using a high-powered torch,

(3) The use of funnel traps during the day to catch and count adult GCN.

Where the species is confirmed present and will potentially be impacted by a proposal, a Natural England European Protected Species Mitigation Licence is required.