Great crested newts on my allotment

[emmalt]

Whilst digging my allotment today I think I may have come across some great crested newts. I didn't realise what they were at the time so I moved them out of the way to avoid chopping with a spade. I actually thought they were the common newt but looking at pictures on the internet I am now convinced that they could be GCN. I now know that I should not have touched them but I did move them in good faith.

Should I be alerting the authorites?

[Fauna]

Hi emmalt.

If you think they are GCN, then i would contact your local councils Ecology team. They will be more than happy with your record, though they will probably need proof and a possible site visit. Your local Wildlife Trust will also be helpfull.


Regards Chris.

[emmalt]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Would this have any effect on the other allotment holders? I know this would stop things if there was a developement but what about allotments?

Thanks

[Fauna]

To be honest emmalt i have'nt a clue how it would effect the allotment.

I know it is illegal to disturb resting/hibernaculum sites, but i don't think they can stop you from using the allotment.

There may be someone else on WAB that can help with this question.


What were the size of the newts?


Regards Chris

[tigger]

Do you know where their spring pond/ditch is? Maybe you could find out whether your local Environmental Records Centre (usually one in every county) have a record for them near you already - it should be fairly easy to find out.

I'm sure these guys would welcome contact from you as well:

www.narrs.org.uk
www.herpconstrust.org.uk/
www.herpetofauna.co.uk/

Jane

[james bennet]

Originally Posted by emmalt

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Would this have any effect on the other allotment holders? I know this would stop things if there was a developement but what about allotments?

Thanks

Actually this rarely stops things, I'm afraid. The most that usually happens in advance of development is mitigation work, which usually means trapping and moving the GCN (under licence) to another location.

How well these 'relocated' newts do is rarely followed up, but I assume, if the new habitat is suitable, it will already have its full quota of newts, and if there is a shortage of newts, then there is something wrong with the habitat!

Sorry I know this is slightly off-topic, but it is one of my little gripes! As far as your particular case is conserned, I'm not an expert but would assume that, seeing as the newts are still there, most of your activites on the allotment do not affect them and would be allowed to continue. Their breeding ponds are protected so these should not be filled in, for instance, and I assume neither would you be allowed to introduce fish.

Finally, I don't know whether 'places of shelter' are also protected in GCN legislation, and what this would mean in your case. Best to check with the local wildlife trust, or HCT (Herpetological Conservation Trust).

[emmalt]

There is a pond on the allotment which is the source of water for the allotment holders (although I think we all have waterbutts as it is too much hassle walking up and down to the pond with watering cans).

I will check out the other organisations.

Thanks for your help

[wild flower]

The firt step is to get a definitive identification. Common newts can have lovely orange bellys and size is usually a better method of id-not that Im an expert. Maybe your local record centre or wildlife trust already has a record in your area or for your allotment.
If you are lucky enough to have GCN no one is about to slap a designation on you or similar which would affect the allotments. Someone may be able to offer you all advice however on how to work to protect the population over and above what you are already doing.
In response to a question in an earlier post, GCN are completely protected even in their places of shelter.