great crested newts How do i see them?

[lesleyb]

i am new to this site and this forum so please be patient. I am intrigued by Great crested newts, Ive never seen one but have a pond on my land which is protected because allegedly there are Great Crested Newts there. I would like to see them, but of course not disturb them or heaven forbid break the law!

any suggestions greatfully received.

by the way the pond is very overgrown and hasnt been 'tended' for decades, its located in a protected piece of woodland that is adjacent to public woods and so contains the usual human debris.

[Kayleigh]

Hi and welcome to WAB...

If you go out on warm evening with a torch I am sure you will see lots of newts in the pond..
Wait for a few more weeks when it warms up as the newts will be in the pond all spring and summer to breed..
Come back to this thread later on and let us know if you see any..

[Deb London]

I did wonder the same thing:

Great Crested Newts - the rules

So the consensus opinion is that it's OK to quietly observe them.

I'd also contact your local amphibian and reptile trust for advice. If you can get someone involved who has a license, maybe you could observe them if they surveyed the pond?

[JaySteel]

If you're prepared to monitor the newt population in your pond on a regular basis and report your findings to your local amphibian & reptile group then it might be worth considering applying for a licence to survey them.

Jason

[lesleyb]

Thank you all, thats really helpful.

Can anyone give me a clue as to what is involved in getting licence? i would consider that if its not too technical or expensive.

and i will let you know when i get down there to take a look.

thanks again

[nightshade]

As in all things wildlife, sit quietly and watch. We had a pond that was built over back in the late '60s it contained all Common, Palmate and Great Crested, we would sit in the sunshine on a carpet of very short grass and just watch them for hours, they would swim or just hang in the gin clear water.
Contact English Nature re. licenses and possibly assistence in getting an authorised clean up of the pond.

[lizard orchid]

Originally Posted by lesleyb

i am new to this site and this forum so please be patient. I am intrigued by Great crested newts, Ive never seen one but have a pond on my land which is protected because allegedly there are Great Crested Newts there. I would like to see them, but of course not disturb them or heaven forbid break the law!

any suggestions greatfully received.

by the way the pond is very overgrown and hasnt been 'tended' for decades, its located in a protected piece of woodland that is adjacent to public woods and so contains the usual human debris.

A good time to look for GCN's is after dark in the pond anytime between late Feb and June. It does not have to be a midnight but just 10 mins after dark. I know with many sites I have checked for the species the adults can be seen even right up to the pond edges with a torch.
Of course a weedy pond can be more difficult to see into even with a torch at times but it can be done. Look out for the bluey/silver streak in the males tail as he swims away. A know from a weedy pond I had checked it was the silver/bluey flash of the males tail is all that I saw as he swam away but this proved they were there. Here in Northamptonshire GCN's are already turning up to their breeding ponds.
Good luck and I hope you have some success.

Brian Laney Northamptonshire county recorder for reptiles and amphibians.

[lesleyb]

thank you. I am forming a plan...
I will give it another few days then venture down with a torch, see what i can see.
If i see any at all i will contact the relevant person to enquire about a licence.

I will let you know what i find! just have to build up some courage to go down the dark and woody track with no dogs for company!

[dampflippers]

Lesley, you might want to consider joining a group. I don't know where in the country you are, but there is a list here: Local Groups - ARGUK
If you join, you may have an opportunity to assist in surbeys, or at least go on trips to ponds and attend talks. There may be people who can offer training, especially if you offer your pond as a survey pond.

[lesleyb]

Originally Posted by dampflippers

Lesley, you might want to consider joining a group. I don't know where in the country you are, but there is a list here: Local Groups - ARGUK
If you join, you may have an opportunity to assist in surbeys, or at least go on trips to ponds and attend talks. There may be people who can offer training, especially if you offer your pond as a survey pond.

thank you, thats a good idea. will take a look