Great Crested Newt

The great crested newt is fully protected under the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended.

The life cycle of great crested newt is more complicated than many species since they are found in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats and often require extensive areas of habitat to support their populations. Great crested newts are found throughout mainland Britain but are often very localised in their distribution. They are absent from Ireland.

ecosulis ltd employs Natural England and Countryside Council for Wales licensed great crested newt handlers and the services we offer with respect to great crested newts, include:

• Great crested newt surveys including, bottle-trapping, torch searches, egg searches, pitfall trapping and netting
• Habitat Suitability Index assessment – a methodology specifically developed for great crested newts but also as part of Phase I habitat survey
• Natural England, Welsh Assembly and Scottish Natural Heritage licence preparation and management
• Great crested newt mitigation (under licence where necessary), including erection of temporary amphibian fencing, erection of permanent amphibian fencing, installation of pitfall traps, translocation exercises, ecological clerk of works, watching brief and destructive searches
• Habitat enhancement and creation, including pond creation, installation of hibernacula and refuges, tree and shrub planting, establishment of green corridors and networks
• Long-term monitoring and habitat management