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Great Crested Newt Habitat Created in Shropshire02/04/2008 13:34:35February 2008. A team of wildlife experts are building a series of new aquatic homes in Shropshire, to help protect the great crested newt. A loss of suitable habitat across England has led to a rapid decline of great crested newts over the past 50 years. It is now a legally protected species and identified as one of only three amphibians in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan that needs help. It is also the biggest and least common of the three newts found in the British Isles.  The Forestry Commission has teamed up with the Environment Agency to give the species the best chance of recovery, as part of their ongoing habitat management programme. A number of ponds will be created in Eastridge Wood, which is managed by the Forestry Commission and sits at the northern end of the Stiperstones between Snailbeach, Habberley and Minsterley in Shropshire. Expand the Existing Population The new ponds are being created close to existing ponds where there are already great crested newts. This will enable the newts to migrate to the new ponds, increasing the amount of habitat available for them to breed as spring approaches. Alan Reid, Wildlife Ranger for the Forestry Commission in the West Midlands, said: ‘We are very proud that we already have great crested newts in Eastridge Wood and the Forestry Commission places a high priority on increasing biodiversity in the woods and forests it manages. We’re hoping that our work will increase the number of great crested newts in Shropshire. ‘The work at Eastridge is part of efforts across the UK to encourage the natural dispersal of great crested newts to new sites through habitat management and re-creation under the Biodiversity Action Plan.’ As well as creating new homes for the great crested newts, the work will also help a number of other species, such as dragonflies and damsel flies that rely on ponds for their survival. Great crested newts can grow up to 16 centimetres long and are generally dark brown to black with a warty appearance, which gives the species its other common name, the warty newt. They also have a bright orange underside with black markings that are unique to each individual. They live in large fishless ponds with abundant weeds. They usually feed on a range of aquatic invertebrates but occasionally will also tackle larger prey such as other newts and dragonflies. The reduction in the number of great crested newts is believed to have been caused by a number of factors, including lower water tables, ponds being filled in for development, farming, waste disposal, pollution and the toxic effects of agrochemicals. For more information on some of the many different species that can be found in Britain’s woods, and the best places to see them, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/wildwoods.
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We found a baby great crested newt in the dark yesterday but we cannot find a contact helpline number to call????? any ideas anyone????
Thanks.
Jules.
Posted by: Jules | 31 Mar 2011 08:43:30