Frog/newt relocation problem - advice needed

[Tursiops]

I have a job to do. I think I know how to do it, but I would appreciate advice.

My landlord has just bought a new house, moved in this weekend. It has a moderate sized garden (approx. 20m x 7m) with great potential for improvement, and he has commissioned me to design and plant a complete garden makeover. The plans won't be finalised until later this summer, but we have agreed they will include a wildlife pond.

In the meantime, something has to be done about the existing pond. This is constructed from a pre-formed pond liner, approx. 5ft x 2ft, and, according to the vendor, supports established colonies of frogs and newts. Obviously I want to preserve this population and re-establish it in the new pond, and my preference would be to wait until late summer before digging a new pond and filling in the old one.

Unfortunately the pond is appallingly badly sited, close to the house and blocking one of the main access routes into the garden. It's a genuine safety hazard, a potential leg-breaker and death-trap for toddlers, and Landlord wants it filled in ASAP. So, my plan is to create one or more temporary ponds from large plastic storage crates sunk into the ground at the far end of the garden, and transfer the spawn to these when it appears (none yet, but a pair of frogs were mating this morning).

It seems fairly straightforward, but I'm sure there must be more to it than that. Any advice, tips, techniques etc. to make the job cheap, efficient and successful would be most welcome.

TIA
Tursiops

[MalcolmX]

may i suggest that you use a polythene sheet into saucer shaped depression and cover the edge with rocks and stones etc. use the old pond water where you can and transport the weeds with roots and insects if possible . frogs will return to the area of their birth which may be due to the recognition of the water composition
hope this helps

[SteveA]

A phonecall to your local or County Wildlife Trust first?

[nightshade]

Be careful you do not fall foul of the laws protecting great crested newts and their relatives as SteveA says find out First
You never know some of the wildlife trust may even help!
Do not forget Englisg Nature either,so few species they have to be protected

[pheonix]

the only amphibian you would have a problem with is the great crested newt as it is protected under european law(habitats regulations annexe 2) which would make it illegal to remove its habitat. it would be easy to identify these animals at there time of spawning as they are so much largewr than other newts also with a bit of research you may be able to identify their eggs. if found however you shuld definately consult help from the above mentioned authorities.

but otherwise the plans a good un!