Great crested newt surveys

[Mow]

I am just trying to get planning permission for 7 extra caravan pitches after already having a caravan club certified location(5),the councils ecologist has said we are going to need to do a newt survey because there is a pit next to the proposed pitches,this has slowed the whole process to a stop,im just after a bit of info as to whats involved and how long this is going to take(was hoping to have pitches open for next spring)

 

[Doing it for the kids]

It's a seasonal thing, can't recall when, think it's spring.

Needs to have water in all yr round to be a good spot.

They put bottle in the water with upturned funnels in to check.

Best thing to do do is befriend the ecologist and find out how they will do the survey, show genuine interest and they will spill the beans.

Then go back at night when the traps are set to check on progress. Normally they rock up at 5.30 am to check them....

 

[nick...]

Ive started a job on tuesday to convert a cart shed to homes.the whole site had polythene walls all round and buckets every few metres to catch the newts over probably 200 metres.been like this for 6 months now.anyway i dont know how many have been caught but doing site clearance i found another hiding under some wood which was moved to a nearby pond.hopefull the newt police are not reading this
Nick...

 

[Still Farming]

The stupid thing is the ecoligists go mad when the newts are breeding etc.but from later spring on its all ok.
What about the newts that nest etc.in earth heaps etc.around building works -all seems daft and money grabbing paper shovellers and all just covering their backs ?

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Bats and newts - what do they do for society which deserves such protection when the common hedgehog is in serious decline and largely ignored?

Really need a review of what should and should not be protected, badgers and red kites (around here at least) would be first on my list to revoke

 

[Kidds]

Fill the place with ducks, won't be any newts then.
Then when it's all done get rid of the ducks and as if by magic the newts will come back.