Introduction

The Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) is an amphibian. It is the largest of the 3 newt species native to Britain. Adults measure between 11cm and 16cm in length. Both sexes are very dark above with yellow-orange undersides spotted with black. They do not have any webbing or fringes around their toes. Males in breeding condition are very distinctive with a large indented crest running along their length with a gap in the crest at the base of the tail. Insert picture Habitat: Ideally ponds which support breeding populations of this species have 'no fish, little pollution, a depth of 50cm to 100cm', are medium sized, may dry out periodically and have a 'moderate growth of aquatic vegetation such as duckweed and water starwort'. Open areas within ponds are also needed for displaying males and are favoured by the newt larvae. A diverse terrestrial habitat (mixture of scrub and rough pasture) is also required with corridors of suitable habitiat (hedges and ditches) to aid dispersal. Great Crested Newts may move more than 200 metres from their breeding pond and juveniles may travel further. Adults may hibernate on land under bark, in logs, piles of leaves and disused burrows. However, larvae, juveniles and adults may hibernate underwater in the mud at the bottom of ponds.

Current Status

The species is listed on Annexes II and IV of the EC Habitats Directive and Appendix II of the Bern Convention. It is protected under Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994 (Regulation 38) and Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. An English Nature licence is required to carry out any work relating to the species other than observing by torchlight.

Nationally: 

The species is still quite widespread across Britain although absent from Northern Ireland. It is more common in lowland England and Wales where it may be numerous locally. It is a priority species within the UK BAP process having suffered a decline in recent years (estimated at 25-49% in numbers and range since the 1970s). Britain's population is amongst the largest in Europe where it is also in decline so the British population is seen as important in international terms.

There are 2 distinct distributions separated by the acid gritstone moorland of the Dark Peak. One, centred around the White Peak has been described as 'an important national stronghold' for the species and has been surveyed on several occasions since the 1980s. Insert the distribution map reproduced from the Sorby Reptiles and Amphibians publication. The other distribution is centred around the area along the Rother Valley within North East Derbyshire and South Yorkshire and further east. There are also recent records for many of the sites here but survey work has been more patchy.

Occasional and single records have been collected within Sheffield'sAP area from, for example, Millhouses, Nether Edge, Beauchief, Norton, Frecheville and Holbrook. It is thought that most of the records from the centre of Sheffield may be past introductions, escaped pets and/or the Italian Crested Newt (T.carniflex) which is similar in appearance. The only confirmed breeding ponds in the Sheffield BAP area are within the Rother Valley at the Woodhouse Washlands (YWT) nature reserve and Holbrook Marsh. The Washlands site has been known for a number of years and has been surveyed annually from the mid 1990s when the nature reserve was declared. Fieldwork by Steve Toher in 1999 established that there is a breeding population at Holbrook. It is possible that there are other local populations which have not yet been identified.

Threats 

Nationally, a 2% decline every 5 years in the number of suitable ponds was indicated in studies undertaken in the 1980s. Ponds may be destroyed or become neglected or polluted. They may also be managed inappropriately, have fish introduced into them and suffer increased pressure from wildfowl. 

The loss of suitable terrestrial habitat adjacent to ponds.

Changes in agricultural practices, increased recreational and educational uses as well as encroachment from residential and industrial development all contribute to the loss of suitable site.

Loss or destruction of hibernacula and refuges.

Similar factors apply as in the case of the general loss of terrestrial habitats but there is also the problem of inappropriate management of ponds and the surrounding areas. 

Fragmentation of habitats.

There is a decrease in the potential for colonisation or re- colonisation of suitable habitiats with the destruction of corridors through wetlands and along hedgerows.

Current Initiatives 

1. JNCC have published a 5 year framework (1994-1999) for the conservation of amphibians at a national level. Also at national level a worker is funded to co-ordinate surveys and publicity material has been published. 
2. Sorby Natural History Society (SNHS) and Sheffield City Museum published a report on the 'Reptiles and Amphibians of the Sheffield Area and North Derbyshire' in 1997. This collated records of the Great Crested Newt at a regional level.
3. SNHS Amphibian Group have an ongoing programme of surveying, recording and monitoring for amphibians within the area. They are also hoping to re-survey old sites and do some publicity for the general public. 
4. Work is continuing on the Woodhouse Washlands (YWT) nature reserve to record the species and manage the site appropriately.

Objectives

1. Determine the extent and distribution of the existing population. 
   Target: Initial survey work to be completed and a programme of re- surveys agreed by 2001. 
2. Maintain the viability and where possible expand the existing population through conservation management and site protection.
   Target: Increase the existing breeding population by 200% by 2004. 
3. Increase the awareness of the species and its habitat requirements amongst land owners, land managers, voluntary organisations and the general public. 
   Target: All relevant land owners, land managers and voluntary organisations to be made aware of the status and habitat requirements of the species and general awareness amongst the public to have increased 'significantly' by 2002.

Proposed Actions

1. Support the enforcement of the current legislation. 
2. Ensure that all the ponds and surrounding terrestrial habitat with viable or the potential for viable populations are identified in part II of the Unitary Development Plan (UDP). 
3. Ensure that the protection and enhancement of these ponds are taken into accountin accordance with paragraph 24 of Planning Policy Guidance Note: PPG9.
4. Support moves to create new pond protection measures to prevent deterioration and loss of Great Crested Newt habitat. 

1. Ensure that the presence of Great Crested Newts are taken into account when considering the impact of any planning or development proposals which may threaten known or potential habitats.
2. Ensure that the presence and habitat requirements of the species are taken into account when developing and implementing site management plans. 
3. Encourage the production of management plans for all sites where breeding populations have been identified and for potential sites which could support breeding populations. 
4.  Establish and maintain links with land owners and land managers on sites where Great Crested Newts are known to occur. 

1.  Ensure that the protection given by the current legislation and policies are publicised and enforced. 
2. Encourage natural dispersal to new sites through suitable habitat management. 
3. Consider establishing a re-introduction/translocation programme to restore populations at suitable sites. 

1. Develop a good practice guide on managing the species and its habitat requirements for use with land owners, land managers and others.
2. Support training on the management and conservation of the species.
3. Develop links and the exchange of information between all interested partners.

1. Undertake a programme of regular surveys to identify the distribution and level of the population; specifically the number of sites with breeding populations and potential to support breeding populations.
2. Support more detailed studies of populations at key sites to establish preferred habitat use and population dynamics.
3. Contribute towards the establishment and maintenance of national and regional databases by sharing the results of surveys and monitoring exercises.

1. Develop a campaign to raise awareness amongst the general public through the local media, leaflets, displays and talks.
2. Publicise the results of surveys and encourage the dissemination of information between all interested groups, statutory bodies and the City Council.
3. Support initiatives to promote a wider and more sympathetic understanding of amphibian conservation. 

Associated Action Plans 

1. Ponds 
2. Grazing Marsh 
3. Wet Grassland/Wetland 
4. Hedgerows 
5. Scrub/Woodland Edge 

1. References 
   1. Reptiles and Amphibians of the Sheffield Area and North Derbyshire, Sorby Record Special Series No.11, 1997, Derek Whiteley
   2. Newts of the British Isles, Shire Publications, 1989, PJ Wiesniewski
   3. Biodiversity : The UK Steering Group report Vol.2 Action Plans, HMSO, 1995
   4. Draft SAP for the Great Crested Newt, Rotherham MBC, 1999, Jacqui North. 
   5. Holbrook record pers. comm. from Derek Whiteley, April 1999.