Great Crested Newt Surveys...

We provide a wide range of services related to Great Crested Newt (GCN), inclusive of Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessments, eDNA Testing, GCN presence/absence surveys, EPSM license applications and re/translocation exercises.

With an abundance of waterbodies throughout England and the extended search area required for great crested newts, we believe great crested newt surveys should be given consideration at the earliest stages in planning applications. With this in mind, should waterbodies be present in close proximity to a site, in an effort to reduce costs and untimely repeat visits, we advise our clients to include the HSI Assessment as part of the Extended Phase I Survey.

Through the application of Habitat Suitability Assessments (HSI) and / or at the right time of year EDNA testing, we can provide a calculated assessment of the need for species specific surveys, without the need for expensive multiple visit survey techniques.

We pride ourselves on our understanding of current legislation and good practice guidelines for great crested newts and our application of detailed survey work, concise reporting and proportionate recommendations. As a company we keep up to date on current industry standards, ensuring surveys and reports meet the stringent requirements of planning authorities, whilst conserving the species for generations to come. Our company policy ensures that only suitably experienced surveyors will be deployed to conduct great crested newt habitat assessment surveys and that only licence surveyors or accredited agents will be deployed for presence/likely absence surveys and re/translocation exercises.

It should be noted that although surveys to establish a sites suitability to support great crested newt (HSI Assessment) can be conducted at any time of year, due to seasonal constraints the period in which eDNA analysis can be undertaken is the 15th April to 30th June. Presence/likely absence surveys are conducted within the months of Mid-March – Mid-June, with a minimum of 2 surveys conducted from Mid-April – Mid-May, this to account for the seasonal breeding status of great crested newts. Should they be required, terrestrial relocation / translocation exercises can generally be conducted in suitable weather conditions, at any time during the active period of March – October (inclusive).

We also offer guidance on how to further enhance areas for great crested newts through the installation of hibernacula, log piles, ponds and native planting. We offer an affordable yet appropriate solution to amphibian exclusion fencing and on-going care packages to ensure fence repair/maintenance is retained throughout your development.

Services we offer include;

• Habitat Suitability Assessments (HSI)
• EDNA Collection & Analysis
• Desk Study Data Analysis
• Presence / Likely Absence Surveys
• European Protected Species Mitigation Licence Advice, Applications & Monitoring
• Method Statements and Habitat Management Plans
• Terrestrial re/translocation Exercises
• Habitat Enhancement Builds and Advice

Each project is issued with a Lead Ecologist who is here to help guide you through your project. Whether it be for residential or commercial development, utilities works, road schemes, building/structure maintenance, renewable energy builds, we are here to help, we work with those that require surveys due to planning and also those that are simply interested in ecology and are looking for advice on how to enhance land within their ownership.

If you believe you need a great crested newt survey, or are interested in finding out more about area enhancement for great crested newts, please contact us today and speak to a member of our team.

With projects extending across the South, core areas of work include Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London, Hampshire, Dorset, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Bucks, Hertfordshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall… we are here to help.

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