Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus)

Associated Species Action Plans Amphibians Floating water plantain Water vole White-clawed crayfish Associated Habitat action plans Garden ponds Eutrophic urban pools

In Britain there are three species of newt, great crested, smooth and palmate. The great crested newt, which can grow to sixteen centimetres long is the largest and has special legal protection. It spends much of the year on land, however, towards the end of winter adult newts return to breed. Newt eggs are laid on underwater leaves near the margin. After four weeks the eggs hatch as tadpoles which then take a further three months to develop into a young newt capable of leaving the water. At this time the young newts will leave the water to spend between one and three years in surrounding terrestrial habitat while they become sexually mature. Great crested newts require surprisingly extensive areas of terrestrial habitat as well as standing water in order to survive; for example it has been estimated that a viable population of around two hundred and fifty newts requires a suitable breeding pond and about one hectare of good terrestrial habitat. Moreover, adult newts can travel some distance away from their breeding pond in search of suitable habitat and immature adults may disperse up to five hundred metres away. It is a species of key priority within the Midlands Plateau Natural Area which encompasses the Birmingham and the Black Country because the area supports a population of great crested newts whose conservation is significant in national terms. Information on the occurrence of the species is patchy. Within Birmingham and the Black Country the species is known to be present in about 30 localities with apparent strongholds in the north west of Dudley and Walsall. The Fens Pools in Pensnett, Dudley is a nationally notable site being notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in recognition of the large colony that exists there and the long history of monitoring. The species has declined nationally in recent decades at an estimated rate of decline of 2% of colonies per year, i.e. 360 populations. The newt population of Birmingham and the Black Country is presumed to have experienced a decline but no data exists.

Despite their protected status the breeding ponds of the great crested newt and surrounding terrestrial habitats are still being lost or fragmented, often caused by built development, in some instances inadvertently, as result of their presence being unknown. Sites are threatened by water-borne pollution from industry and roads. A decline in the value of breeding ponds through neglect, insensitive management and natural succession are further threats. Park-style maintenance of terrestrial habitats (e.g. through 'amenity' mowing regimes) and the landscaping and reclamation of derelict land have taken their toll. Fish stocking whether licensed or illegal, threatens the viability of populations.

3.1 Legal status

The great crested newt is an internationally important species. It is listed in 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 8) and Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In Section 9(4) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act it is stated that it is an offence to intentionally damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place which these species use for shelter or protection.

3.2 Management, research and guidance

3.2.1 Management

Management plans for Fens Pools SSSI and Waddens Brook Local Nature Reserve and SINC, Walsall holding significant populations are being implemented with the objective of maintaining and enhancing the existing populations and monitoring changes.

Pensnett Wildlife Group (PWG) / Dudley Zoo are co-operating in a project involving the monitoring local populations and the establishment of a captive bred newt colony at Dudley zoo from local wild stock for the purpose of public display and education, and as a possible donor source of animals for newly created sites. There are proposals by PWG to extend this work to include managed introductions at targeted sites.

In relation to planning matters where great crested are known or suspected to be affected English Nature is consulted and detailed surveys are requested and where appropriate conditions/planning obligations are sought requiring measures to conserve the population where practicable.

3.2.2 Research

The results of recent surveys via public questionnaires in Birmingham and other areas have indicated garden ponds are of growing importance for amphibians including great crested newts. Further survey work of this kind is planned supported by the Environment Agency.

PWG hold extensive information on sites in the west of Dudley.

Information on existing known sites is held by EcoRecord.

Information leaflets about great crested newt ecology and best practice management are available from English Nature, Froglife and the British Herpetological Society. However the Herpetofauna Workers Manual produced by JNCC in 1998 provides the most comprehensive digest of surveying and management practice.

ACTION	Potential Deliverers		YEARS							Meets Objective No.
	Lead	Partner	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2010
5.1 Policy and legislation
Seek to identify the locations of all viable newt populations so that they can be protected	EN, WT, ER, LCG	LAs								1
Seek the inclusion of effective measures in Unitary Development Plans and other policy documents for the protection of great crested-newts in accordance with the relevant planning guidance (ie paragraph 24 of PPG 9)	LAs	EN, WT	As UDPs and other policy documents are prepared							1
Seek the inclusion of effective measures in Local Environment Agency Plans and other policy documents for the protection of great crested newts.	EA	LAs / EN / WT	As LEAPs and other policy documents are prepared							1
Designate all known great crested newt sites (both ponds and terrestrial habitats) as SINCs or LNRs.	EN, WT, LAs									1
5.2 Site Safeguard and management
Reduce and prevent water quality problems which may affect breeding ponds	EA	LAs, EN								1
Encourage the inclusion of species protection policies, e.g. based on EN Model Policy, to safeguard existing and new great crested newt sites identified during the life of UDPs and other policy documents.	LAs	EN, WT	As UDPs and other policy documents are prepared							1
5.3 Species management and protection
Prepare and implement brief management plans for all breeding ponds and adjacent terrestrial habitats; enter into management agreements with landowners if necessary.	LAs, WT, LO	EA								1
Actively pursue and encourage the creation of new ponds (in clusters preferably) and supporting areas of terrestrial habitat in either:
locations close to existing ponds supporting the species to strengthen the long-term viability of often fragmented and isolated colonies where there is presumption favouring natural colonisations. Identify target areas with the greatest opportunities. Or	LAs, WT, LO	EA								2
other locations where opportunities allow and where it is appropriate for great crested newts to be introduced by translocation from donor sites either through land management practices or where applicable by agreement as part of the planning process. Identify potential suitable localities.	LAs, WT, PWG	EA, BTCV, GW								2
5.4 Advisory
5.5 Future research and monitoring
Encourage monitoring of all populations annually if possible using recognised methods and at least once every 3 years.	ER / HC	PWG / HCT								3
Encourage the setting up of an amphibian and reptile group to in Birmingham and the Black Country.	LAs / WT									1,2,3
Carry out a baseline survey of potential breeding ponds and other water bodies, e.g. canal side arms to find out the status and distribution of the population in the area and input data to EcoRecord.	EA, EN, LAs	PWG, WT								3
Organise training in identification skills and survey techniques	PWG, HC	WT, EN								3
5.6 Communications and publicity
Encourage the creation of newt friendly ponds in residential gardens.	WT, LAs									1,2
Carry out an awareness campaign, targeting the general public, developers and businesses adjacent to great crested newt sites.	WT, EN, EA, LAs									1,2
Encourage the creation of wildlife ponds in schools	LAs									1,2
5.7 Links to other action plans
Co-ordinate implementation with other plans for sites and species protection, amphibians garden ponds and eutrophic pools										1,2,3

It is proposed that this action plan is ideally co-ordinated by an Amphibian and Reptile Group. Otherwise it will fall to the several interested individuals to co-ordinate the plan and its annual review. It is suggested that a meeting is held at least once a year of interested persons and organisations to review and discuss progress in implementing the actions. There may be advantages in this being combined a with meeting to review the great crested newt plan. The group or individuals will report progress to the Birmingham and Black Country Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group.

Review will consist of measuring achievement of targets. The group will, with the support of the Steering Group, develop and implement appropriate monitoring methods which will inform the review process.

The Action Plan will be revised and updated in the light of review results and any relevant changes in circumstances and/or additional information which becomes available during the review period.

In line with national guidance, the Steering Group will report to the UK Steering Group.

Biodiversity Action Plan for Birmingham and the Black Country © 2000

Printing of this publication for educational purposes is permitted, provided that copies are not made or distributed for commercial gain, and the title of the publication and its date appear. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires specific permission from the Steering Group.