- 1 Mar 2022
Great Crested Newt Survey Season is Rapidly Approaching!
Great crested newts (GCNs) and their habitats are protected by European and British law. Where GCNs are present, survey reports and mitigation plans are necessary to support planning applications and must be completed at the right time of year, ideally between mid-March until June.
Great crested newts are a protected species
Do I Need a GCN Survey?
A survey must be undertaken if:
- distribution and historical records suggest newts may be present.
- a pond is located within 500 metres of the development.
- the development site includes refuges (e.g. log piles or rubble), grassland, scrub, woodland or hedgerows.
GCNs may be present even if:
- the site has been ploughed, soil stripped or had ponds filled in within the last 4 years.
- the breeding pond was destroyed several years ago.
- the pond is muddy, heavily shaded or vegetated.
- the pond contains fish.
- the pond is temporary.
When to Survey?
Survey Method Optimal Time to Survey
Environmental DNA (eDNA) Mid-April to late June
Egg search April to June
Pitfall traps March, April, May and September
Refuge search April to September
Bottle or funnel traps March to May
Netting Mid-March to mid-June (August to find larvae)
Torch survey Mid-March to mid-June (August to find larvae)
To discuss your requirements or to book a survey, contact our experienced
Ecology Team on 0161 312 3131.