Great crested newts are fully protected under the UK and European law and are frequently
encountered on development sites. It is an offence to kill, capture, or disturb them, or to damage or destroy their ponds. This protection extends to the habitats which support great crested newts
and it is generally assumed that the species might be present in terrestrial habitats up to 500m from a breeding pond, depending on habitat quality, connectivity and population size.
Surveys for great crested newt are seasonally constrained to the period mid-March to mid-June when great crested newts are present in their breeding ponds. We use a combination of survey techniques, including bottle trapping, torching, egg searches and refugia searches. Outside of this season terrestrial surveys using drift fencing and pitfall traps can be undertaken to determine their presence in terrestrial habitats.
Our licensed great crested newt specialists are able to provide great crested newt surveys throughout Brecon including Crickhowell, Hay on Wye, Llangorse, Talgarth and Talybont. We are experienced in the survey, European Protected Species licensing, as well as mitigation design and implementation.
It is crucial to identify the presence of great crested newts at an early stage in the planning process, in order to avoid timely and costly delays.
For more information about great crested newt surveys or any of our other ecological services call us at our head office on 029 2065 0331.
