Elton Ecology were commissioned to conduct a Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus (GCN) Population Size Class Assessment survey of ponds in 2019 and 2021, to inform the post-development monitoring and reporting requirements of a Natural England mitigation licence.

A total of six survey visits were carried out during suitable weather conditions (i.e. when the night-time air temperature was >5°C), in mid-March to mid-June, with three of the survey visits occurring in mid-April to mid-May. The surveys were conducted with reference to best practice guidelines by a survey team led by a Natural England GCN licenced ecologist. The surveys included bottle trap, torchlight, and egg searching techniques.

The bottle trapping survey included setting traps in the pond margins at a density of one bottle per 2 metres of pond shoreline. The traps were set prior to sunset and collected the following morning. A count of GCN and other amphibians retrieved from the traps was taken noting species, sex and life stage.

The torchlight survey was carried out after dusk and involved a search for GCN and other amphibians in the pond aided by a torch of suitable power. The margin of the pond was slowly walked, taking a count of any amphibians observed.

The egg search involved searching in the pond for GCN eggs within characteristically folded vegetation. Once GCN eggs were confirmed, no further egg searching was carried out at the pond.

GCN, smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris and common frog Rana temporaria were recorded during the surveys. GCN eggs were recorded in all ponds, confirming a breeding population. The peak count of adult GCN recorded on a single survey was 38 in 2019 and 59 in 2021. The surveys demonstrated an increase in peak count of GCN compared to the pre-development population.

Elton Ecology received the following feedback from the client:

“Great people to deal with, very communicative and helpful. Would highly recommend.”