Amphibians

Great crested newt

Great crested newts and natterjack toads are protected through strict EU legislation, and great crested newts require consideration whenever suitable waterbodies are present. We would normally conduct an appraisal of these waterbodies before advising whether further surveys are required. Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling can be used to determine presence or absence of species, but we also offer conventional survey techniques. EPS licencing may be required where individuals or populations of protected amphibians are at risk.

Great crested newt District Level Licensing (DLL) is an alternative to traditional licensing and fencing/ translocation. Instead of conducting seasonally restricted surveys and providing on-site mitigation and monitoring, a fixed fee is paid to contribute to off-site habitat creation or restoration. For some developments DLL can be beneficial in terms of providing habitat net gain for great crested newts, and gives the developer certainty over costs and timeframe. This is not currently a nationwide scheme, but is available in most of Eastern England. Contact us to find out if DLL could be an option for your project

Common toad is a Species of Principal Importance under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006 and requires consideration in development proposals. Very often, effects on this species can be mitigated by using best practice avoidance measures during construction.

Six members of the team are licensed by Natural England to survey for great crested newts. The WFE team also have experience running surveys for natterjack toads which, along with great crested newts, are European Protected Species. WFE has worked on numerous projects throughout East Anglia, across the Midlands, Kent and Yorkshire, and have run EPS licences for both great crested newts and natterjack toads.

Amphibian Services

• Great crested newt Habitat Suitability Index (HSI)
• Great crested newt presence/absence survey and population estimate
• Great crested newt District Level Licensing
• Natterjack toad survey
• eDNA testing of waterbodies
• European Protected Species (EPS) Licensing
• Habitat creation and enhancement for amphibians
• Advice on pond management
• Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW)
• Mitigation work – installing exclusion fencing, and trapping out development sites
• Post construction monitoring