Newt Conservation 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.
The great crested newt is declining largely due to loss of habitat, throughout Europe. Due to its status in Europe and the fact that Britain is considered a stronghold, the newt is strictly protected.
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 habitats
Although widespread across Britain, Great crested newts tend to be localised and their numbers are declining in many areas. This is mainly due to habitat loss, such as the infilling of ponds and development surrounding habitats. However, they are particularly sensitive to even slight changes in habitat conditions. For this reason the animals, and their sites, are 'strictly protected' under both British and European Law, including full protection under schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).
Like all amphibians, the great crested newts need both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. They prefer large, well-established ponds, with circum-neutral, relatively nutrient-rich water. The larvae are particularly vulnerable to fish predation. Terrestrial habitat usually consists of rough grassland, scrub, and woodland. Of the British amphibians, great crested Nnewts spend the largest proportion of their life on dry land, and it is essentially that both terrestrial and aquatic habitats are considered if this species is to be conserved.
Great crested newt protection
All UK native amphibians and reptiles are listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Great crested newts (together with natterjack toads, smooth snakes, sand lizards and two species of marine turtle) are given the highest level of protection. The great crested newt is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the EC Habitats Directive, and Schedule 2 of the Habitats Regulations 1994, which you may see referred to as the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations.
This combination of legislation makes it illegal to:
The Countryside And Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 extends these offences by including RECKLESS damage and disturbance.
For more detailed information on legislation, contact your local Amphibian and Reptile Group.
| Great Crested Newt
Conservation |
Great Crested Newt Ecology |
Great Crested Newt Monitoring |
Great Crested Newt Research |
Common Toads |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
