About Great Crested Newts

The great crested newt is one of seven species of amphibian native to the UK. The species is comprehensively protected under both British and European law, making it illegal to kill, injure, capture, disturb or sell them, damage or destroy their habitats. It is a Section 41 species of principle Importance in England.

At up to 15cm in length, the great crested newt is our largest newt. It is almost black in colour along its back with spotted flanks and a striking, bright yellow / orange belly. Males have a long, jagged crest along the body and tail during breeding season. Males have a white flash on the tail which can catch moonlight and ambient light underwater. During the breeding season they have an elaborate courtship display; they stand on their front legs, arch their back and flash their silver tail as if they’re dancing. The female lays around 300 eggs which she folds inside the leaves of aquatic plants. They hibernate underground among tree roots and in old walls / debris piles, sheltered from extreme temperature fluctuations.

Our Great Crested Newt Services

We offer a complete start to end service package in relation to this important protected species, from the survey stage, to licensing and implementation of mitigation works.

Pennine Ecological are a leading regional consultancy in relation to this important protected species. We hold survey licences and development licences for the species and have contributed to important Natural England research studies in relation to the species.

We undertake standard great crested newt surveys throughout the survey season between mid-March and mid-June. We use the following survey methods; torch light survey, egg search, bottle trapping and netting. For Presence and Absence Surveys four separate survey visits must be applied to each waterbody. Population Size Class Assessment Surveys require six separate survey visits to each waterbody.

We can undertake eDNA surveys between April 15th and June 30th.

We have a team of Natural England licensed surveyors who are able to undertake both large and small scale projects throughout the country. We undertake surveys for any size of organisation including; householders, developers, local authorities and government bodies.

In some situations it is possible for developments to be undertaken without the need for a Natural England licence using RAMS (Reasonable Avoidance Measures). Pennine Ecological will always advise clients where we think this is possible to avoid costly implications of Natural England licensing and mitigation work and delays to development.

Examples of  our work with Great Crested Newts

Manchester Airport Group (MAG):

Over many years in excess of 50 ponds have been surveyed across MAG’s land ownership, with seven licence applications successfully granted and implemented by Pennine Ecological. Survey projects have included a new aircraft hanger at the Aviation Viewing Park housing Concorde. The 43 hectare Government Enterprise Zone, World Logistics Hub and a series of ponds airside adjacent to Runway 2 and a hotel / car park development at Runger Lane. Take a look at our Case Study example at the airport for further details.

Chorley Borough Council: Hic Bibi Nature Reserve, Coppull

Pennine Ecological have monitored this site annually since 1996, undertaking numerous great crested newt surveys and population monitoring. We acquired a Natural England Conservation Licence for this important high population colony near Chorley. The sites ponds were threatened by natural colonisation and drying out. We created three ponds, new habitats and several large hibernacula.

Parsons Brinkerhoff: M6 / M55 /M65: MIDAS Communications upgrade

We undertook baseline ecological surveys for this important upgrade of overhead motorway communications in Lancashire. This work included extensive GCN surveys either side of the Motorway and implementation of a precautionary measures GCN Method Statement.

Highways England: A5 / M6 toll road improvement scheme, Leicester

We undertook extensive baseline ecological surveys including GCN surveys for this important national road project.

Highways England: A1(M) Motorway Upgrade Darrington to Dishforth DBFO Project

We undertook baseline ecological surveys for this important Highways England upgrade of the A1 in North Yorkshire. This work included GCN surveys and implementation of mitigation measures for this protected species.

National Grid:Samlesbury – Helmhore: 30km New Gas Pipeline

Pennine Ecological undertook baseline ecological surveys for this major engineering project across the heart of Lancashire. In addition to many other ecological issues we obtained Natural England GCN licences for the project. The work involved the installation of over 18km of newt fencing and clearance / exclusion of the species from working areas.

Lancashire County Council – Broughton By-pass, Preston

Pennine Ecological have been involved in this scheme from its early planning days in the mid 1990s. We undertook baseline ecological surveys including surveys of approximately 40 ponds alongside the route. The scheme is now complete and the road open. Under GCN licence held by ourselves, we continue to monitor the population which is thriving in newly created ponds.

Natural England: Great Crested Newt Survey at Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR for the Dynamic Dunescapes (DuneLIFE) project

Pennine Ecological undertook extensive dune slack surveys of over 40 slacks/ponds within the Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve during the 2021 survey season. The aims of this survey were to assess the population size class of the species across the reserve. This data is being used by Natural England to inform important dune management work aimed at enhancing populations of key species such as; natterjack toad, sand lizard and great crested newt. The survey method was restricted to night time torch surveys to avoid aquatic disturbance of breeding natterjacks for which the site supports the highest UK population. The surveys revealed a high population of great crested newts to be present with >150 adults being recorded on several of the six visits undertaken between April and June.

Great Crested Newts Case Study

Our work at Manchester International Airport since 2009

We have completed numerous licenced mitigation projects at Manchester International Airport since 2009 when we were first commissioned to undertake surveys, licensing and mitigation works for a new aircraft hanger at the Aviation Viewing Park housing Concorde.

Other licensed projects have included the 43 hectare Government Enterprise Zone, World Logistics Hub, a series of ponds airside adjacent to Runway 2 and a hotel / car park development at Runger Lane.

As a whole and between 2009 and the present in excess of 50 ponds have been surveyed with seven licence applications successfully granted and implemented by Pennine Ecological. This includes the following mitigation / habitat creation works;

  • 18km of newt fencing.
  • Installation of 2800 pitfall traps.
  • Creation of 27 new ponds.
  • Construction of more than 30 purpose built rubble / log pile hibernacula.
  • Extensive tree / hedge planting and pond enhancement works.

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If you would like to discuss how Pennine Ecological can help you, please get in touch with us.