Amphibians on the Northmoor Trust Estate
The woodland ponds on the Northmoor Trust Estate hold one of Britain's largest known populations of the Great crested newt, Triturus cristatus.
It has been estimated that up to 3,000 animals breed in the ponds each year. The species has been the subject of three postgraduate research theses mainly looking at the ecology of the species during its terrestrial phase.
Great Crested Newt
Although widespread across Britain, great creasted newts tend to be localised and their numbers are declining in many areas. The UK provides the global stronghold for this European species and, consequently, it is listed as a priority species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). Because of the large great crested newt population, most of Little Wittenham Nature Reserve is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and a SAC (Special Area of Conservation).
| Great Crested Newt
Conservation |
Great Crested Newt Ecology |
Great Crested Newt Monitoring |
Great Crested Newt Research |
Common Toads |
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