Great crested newts are a European protected species, meaning they are protected by law, as well as their eggs, breeding sites and resting places. Unfortunately, like many UK species, they have experienced a considerable decline in population; a direct consequence of the degradation and destruction of freshwater pond habitats. The negative correlation is highlighted by the disappearance of one third of all UK ponds over the last 50 years. 

The life cycle of our largest native newt can be scuppered at each stage. Optimum conditions are required for their successful breeding, egg-laying, foraging, migrating and overwintering. However, natural processes of plant succession and silt accumulation can become a pond’s demise. The collection of deciduous debris decomposing in the pond depths decreases the volume of water, and therefore the space needed for male great crested newts to display their flamboyant courtship behaviour.  

Around the pond periphery, the overshadowing growth of scrub and tree species prevents sunlight from reaching the water surface. Not only does this minimise the temperature of the water, which directly affects the growth rate of newt eggs, but it also reduces the ability of aquatic vegetation to photosynthesize and therefore exist. These plants play an important part in protecting the eggs laid by the newts; the naturally occurring adhesive which encases the egg ensures complete encapsulation by the plant leaf, which is individually and carefully folded by the parent. On average, a breeding female can lay up to 250 eggs in one season – a lot of leaves!  

I introduce to you the Species Recovery Programme, a project which aims to enhance the condition of our existing ponds throughout Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserves, as well as create new hubs of aquatic life. It has already been full steam ahead with the pond restoration work. A team of tireless, dedicated, and tenacious volunteers have braved all weather conditions to remove scrub from the south facing edges, allowing the ponds to apricate once more. Intentional log piles have been left to create hibernacula, a wooden refuge during the frosty winter climes, and the terrestrial vegetation on the northern sides will continue to provide the perfect foraging shelter away from predation.

With the project funding from Natural England, dredging and de-silting will take place with specifications to reestablish the open bodies of water. In addition, a total of eight ponds will be instated to areas that are otherwise deprived to encourage suitable networks of excellent quality great crested newt breeding ponds. Bracketts Coppice, Kingcombe Meadows and West Bexington are all nature reserves that will benefit from this habitat restoration and creation. These works will be key in this species’ recovery throughout the landscape and therefore their future resilience to the ever more apparent effects of climate change.  

For those of you who are lucky enough to find these amphibians in your own gardens, you can report your individual sightings to Amphibian and Reptile Conservation via their national Record Pool reporting site, or you can take part in their Garden Dragon Watch scheme. Remember that these are protected species, so please do not disturb them or their habitat if you are not licensed to do so. 

For further guidelines on how and when to carry out pond management for great crested newts, please visit here.