What was the background to this survey?

EP Ecology was initially asked to do a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal for a client in West Lothian. Our background research identified that there was a nearby known population of great crested newts. As there were a few ponds on the site, we would need to do an ecological assessment to see whether there might be newts present.

What did you do and find?

There were four ponds which we identified as having high habitat suitability for great crested newts. These ponds then needed to be tested to confirm whether or not great crested newts were present. To test this, we used two methods. First, we visited the site across multiple evenings from April to June and conducted torch searches, egg searches and bottle trapping. These are all tried and trusted ways of looking for newts. Second, we collected samples of water from the ponds and then sent the samples off for eDNA (environmental DNA) analysis.

Image: Taking water samples for eDNA analysis for great crested newts

What was the outcome?

Our in-person searches with torches, bottle traps and egg searches identified a range of smooth newts, palmate newts, frogs and toads in all four ponds. Although we didn’t see any great crested newts during these searches, when we sent off the water samples for eDNA analysis this came back positive for one of the ponds – indicating that great crested newts had been in the pond recently.

We wrote a species protection plan for the great crested newts, and a great crested newt development licence was identified as requirement for works. Our report helped inform the Local planning authority ecologist of the potential impacts from works and supported the client with their application progress. If you need a newt survey, get in touch with us today for a no obligation free quote (info[at]epecology.co.uk).