Great Crested Newt- Please Help!

[kara]

Hi all

I am new to this forum and have come here as we think that we may have seen a Great Crested Newt near to where we live. My mother saw it recently (about a month ago)- it was not very big (perhaps 4-4.5 inches) and very dark, sort of a charcoal colour. It had a crest on top, but it wasn't huge or very prominent. She didn't get a great look at its belly, but says that it had amber and black markings underneath? Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture!

The area where she saw it was in a ditch opposite our house (we live in a semi rural area in south Wales), near some private land where we suspect there may be a pond/ponds.

I'm just wondering if we should do anything like report this (possible) sighting to anyone, as I am aware that they are protected? Of course she may have been mistaken, but she says that it was definitely very different to any of the other newts she has seen in the local area.

Thanks in advance...
Kara

[Dogghound]

It possibly is a great crested newt but its not worth reporting it, if you get a clear ID and confirm it is a GCN then you could possibly mention it to your local wildlife group. I wouldnt worry to much about it welcome to WAB.

[kara]

Thanks very much! I don't want to go poking about over there and possibly disturb it, but if we see it again, then I will try to be quick and get a sneaky picture.

Thanks for your reply
Kara

[Dogghound]

Not a problem, as i say i wouldnt worry to much, of course if anyone started development where you had seen the newt would definately be worth a mention.