The great crested is the largest of the three species of newt that are native to the UK . The other two are the smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris) and the palmate newt (Triturus helvetica). Great crested newts are usually seen in ponds, but the surrounding land is of equal importance. Ponds are used for breeding and the development of eggs and tadpoles, and are usually occupied between early spring and late summer. The surrounding land is used all year by immature newts and most newts will spend the winter on land.

The great crested newt occurs across most of England but is rarer in the south-west, Scotland and Wales , and is absent from Ireland . This newt is particularly numerous in lowland areas. Great crested newts tend to be found in the same areas of the country as the more common smooth newt. Great crested newts are usually found with other types of newt (although palmate newts can occur in ponds with no other newt species).

Over the last 50 years there has been a decline in the abundance of great crested newts in the UK . It can still be found in most of the same areas that it used to occur, but now it occurs in lower numbers. The loss of the great crested newt has been more marked in continental Europe than in the UK . The UK now has the largest population in Europe . The disappearance of this newt is closely linked to the disappearance of ponds in our landscape, but also to the loss of good quality habitat for newts on land around ponds, which is so important for much of their life-cycle. Of the three newt species native to the UK , the great crested newt has the most specialised requirements, and as a result has suffered the greatest.

In Durham the great crested newt population is thought by local experts to be stable, or slightly declining. It is quite abundant in parts of the eastern lowlands.

The most recent thorough survey for this newt was carried out in 1984 by Dave Green, who recorded great crested newts at 46 ponds in County Durham , Darlington and southern Tyne and Wear. Since then no surveys on this scale have been carried out. However from reports gathered from Durham Wildlife Trust, English Nature and local amphibian experts, a further 90 great crested newt sites are known.

Most known great crested newt ponds occur in the eastern lowlands of County Durham , Darlington and southern Tyne and Wear. In these areas the soil is fairly neutral in pH, providing conditions which the newt appears to prefer. In neighbouring Northumberland the newt also follows the Durham pattern of occurring in the eastern lowlands. Far fewer sites are known from the western uplands: the highest known breeding site has been recorded at 300 metres above sea level.

The loss or decline in quality of ponds. Drainage and in-filling of ponds as a result of the needs of development, farming or waste disposal. If ponds are neglected and not managed properly, eventually they become choked up with plants and silt and eventually any open water disappears as the pond dries up (this natural development of a pond from open water, through to wetland and eventually to grassland and woodland is called natural succession).

The loss of good habitat for newts around ponds. Areas of grassland, scrub and woodland around ponds (especially within about 250 metres) are important for shelter, food and hibernation sites. The decline in quality of land around ponds for wildlife has been a major factor contributing to the loss of newts. It is important that this land is not overgrazed or too intensively managed. Ponds that are highly shaded by surrounding trees are also not ideal for great crested newts.

Stocking ponds with fish. Fish are a major predator of newt eggs and larvae.

Pollution (e.g. run off of chemicals from agricultural land and roads).

Ponds between 100m and 300m in size. Newts do not like running water. Several ponds in a group are better than one large pond. Ponds that dry up occasionally are also good; these have fewer predatory invertebrates or fish. Ponds should have gently sloping slides to allow access, shallow areas that warm up quickly and deep areas (up to 2m) for protection from frost. They should also not be too shaded and trees and shrubs on the southern side of ponds should be controlled. Great crested newts have a preference for slightly nutrient-rich water, with a pH of 6 or above. It is important that there is a good mixture of both open water and well vegetated areas, with aquatic, floating and marginal plants, to provide refuges, egg-laying sites (individual eggs are wrapped up in leaf fronds). A variety of aquatic invertebrates is important for food.

It is important that ponds are managed in late October to mid-January, when newts are least likely to be there. However, consideration should be given when managing ponds for great crested newts to other species that may be there. Care must be taken not to lose other important species. Management tasks at key great crested newt sites include removing excess aquatic and marginal vegetation (particularly invasive species like reedmace (Typha latifolia) and leaving it on the side of the pond so that any newts present can crawl out, removing excessive silt, removing man-made litter (again taking care to ensure no newts or eggs are in the litter) and removing fish.

Ideally land around ponds should have a mixture of vegetation, particularly rough, tussocky grassland (not too heavily grazed) and areas of scrub and trees (as long as these do not provide too much shade over the pond). Features providing protection or overwintering sites, such as piles of rubble, logs and walls are also useful, as is an uneven land surface. If areas of suitable habitat are separated by less suitable areas, corridors should be left

to allow dispersal. It is important that there is at least a hectare of good habitat around ponds; less than that, no matter how suitable the habitat, and a viable population of great crested newts cannot be supported.

Management of land around ponds includes removing overhanging vegetation around the shoreline, litter clearance, controlling grazing (light grazing is good as it is better than mowing; it reduces injury to newts). If the grass has to be cut, it should be cut to a medium height to retain some protection for newts. Areas of longer grass should be left as corridors between habitats used by the newts.

** indicates action plan produced in 1998.
* indicates action plan to be produced in 1999.

It is illegal to kill, injure, capture or possess these newts or to damage their habitats or carry out any trade in the species.

Corbett K. (Ed.) (1989) �Conservation of European reptiles and amphibians� Christopher Helm: Bromley

English Nature (1996) "Great crested newts: guidelines for developers" (a leaflet) Peterborough

English Nature (1996) �Species Conservation Handbook. Herps 2.3. Management of great crested newt habitats� Peterborough

English Nature (1994) �Facts about Great crested newts� (a leaflet) Peterborough

Foster J. and Barr J. (compilers) (1998) �The Herpetofauna Workers Guide 1998: A directory of information and resources for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the UK and Ireland � Froglife, Halesworth, Suffolk .

Frazer D. (1983) �Reptiles and amphibians in Britain � Collins: London

Froglife (Herpetofauna Conservation International Ltd.)

Froglife/Herpetofauna Groups of Britain and Ireland regional representative

British Herpetological Society

Herpetological Conservation Trust

GUIDE TO ABBREVIATIONS USED IN ACTIONS CHART OVERLEAF: