The smooth newt is the most frequently seen newt,
native to the UK. The other two are the great crested (Triturus
cristatus) and the palmate newt (Triturus helvetica). Smooth newts
are usually seen in small pools or clay puddles, but the surrounding
land is equally important. Pools are used for breeding and are
usually occupied between early spring and late summer. The
surrounding land is used all year by immature newts and most newts
spend winter on land.
Where is it found in the UK?
The smooth newt occurs across most of England but is
rarer in Wales and parts of Scotland. This newt tends to be found in
the same areas of the country as the great crested newt.
Why is it the Smooth Newt of conservation importance?
There appears to be a decline in the abundance of the
smooth newt in the UK. It can still be found in most of the areas
that it used to occur, but usually in lower numbers. The reduction in
numbers of this newt is closely linked to the disappearance of ponds
in our landscape, but also to the loss of habitat around ponds which
is important for much of their life-cycle.
The Smooth Newt in the Durham area
How healthy are the populations of the Smooth Newt?
In Durham the smooth newt population is thought by
local experts to be stable. It is abundant in parts of the eastern lowlands.
How much do we know about the Smooth Newt in the
Durham area?
There have been a number of surveys of amphibian sites
locally, mainly in the 1980s. Our knowledge of smooth newt
distribution in the Durham area is therefore better than for much of
the rest of the UK. Though there is a need to update these surveys,
perhaps on a selected sample basis, to determine trends.
Where has it been found in the Durham area?
This species is widespread over the Durham area;
distribution being thinner in areas of magnesiun lime-stone geology,
where there is less surface water.
The Smooth Newt is at risk from:
Loss of habitat, mainly due to the infilling of ponds
on agricultural land and to the infilling of flooded quarries.
The loss of suitable habitat for newts around ponds.
Areas of grassland, scrub and woodland around ponds (especially
within 250metres) are important for shelter, food and hibernation
sites. The decline in quality of land around ponds for wildlife has
been a major factor contributing to the loss of newts. It is
important that this land is not overgrazed or too intensively managed.
The introduction of fish to ponds and lakes, sometimes
for angling purposes. Fish are a major predator of newt eggs and larvae.
Pollution e.g. run-off of chemicals from agricultural
land and roads.
The Smooth Newt benefits from:
Protection of ponds, lakes and wetlands.
Better management of habitats adjacent to ponds and lakes.
Creation of new wetland habitats.
Important habitats for the Smooth Newt:
Ponds, lakes and reservoirs (and surrounding wetlands).
Grasslands.
Scrub.
Marshes and wetlands.
The Smooth Newt and the law.
It is illegal to kill, injure or sell the smooth newt.
The palmate newt is the smallest newt native to the
U.K and, in its general appearance, it closely resembles the smooth
newt, (Triturus vulgaris). The palmate newt prefers slow-moving
water, pools and lakes in wooded and hilly country and will tolerate
water with a lower pH than other native species.
Where is it found in the UK?
The palmate newt prefers hilly areas though it has
been known to occur at sea level, often in the company of the other
two species.
Why is the Palmate Newt of conservation importance?
The palmate newt like other amphibians is a good
indicator of the ecological health of wetland habitats. They also
form an important part of the food chain for water birds and other animals.
The Palmate Newt in the Durham Area
How healthy are the populations of the Palmate Newt?
In Durham the palmate newt population is thought by
local experts to be stable. It is abundant in parts of the western lowlands.
How much do we know about the Palmate Newt in the
Durham area?
There have been a number of surveys of amphibian sites
locally, mainly in the 1980s. Our knowledge of palmate newt
distribution in the Durham area is therefore better than for much of
the rest of the UK. Though there is a need to update these surveys,
perhaps on a selected sample basis, to determine trends.
Where has it been found in the Durham area?
This species is widespread over the Durham area;
distribution being thinner in areas of magnesian lime-stone geology,
where there is less surface water.
The Palmate Newt is at risk from:
Loss of habitat, mainly due to the infilling of ponds
on agricultural land and to the infilling of flooded quarries.
The loss of suitable habitat for newts around ponds.
Areas of grassland, scrub and woodland around ponds (especially
within 250metres) are important for shelter, food and hibernation
sites. The decline in quality of land around ponds for wildlife has
been a major factor contributing to the loss of newts. It is
important that this land is not overgrazed or too intensively managed.
The introduction of fish to ponds and lakes, sometimes
for angling purposes. Fish are a major predator of newt eggs and larvae.
Pollution e.g. run-off of chemicals from agricultural
land and roads.
The Palmate Newt benefits from:
Protection of ponds and lakes.
Better management of habitats adjacent to ponds and lakes.
Creation of new wetland habitats.
Important habitats for the Palmate Newt:
Ponds, lakes and reservoirs (and surrounding wetlands).
Grasslands.
Scrub.
Marshes and wetlands.
The Palmate Newt and the law
It is illegal to kill, injure or sell the palmate newt.
The great crested newt is the largest of the three
species of newt that are native to the U.K. The other two are the
smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris) and the palmate newt (Triturus
helvetica). Great crested newts are usually seen in ponds, but the
surrounding land is of equal importance. Ponds are used for breeding
and the development of eggs and tadpoles, and are usually occupied
between early spring and late summer. The surrounding land is used
all year by immature newts and most newts will spend the winter on land.
Where is it found in the UK?
The great crested newt occurs across most of England
but is rarer in the south-west, Scotland and Wales, and is absent
from Ireland. This newt is particularly numerous in lowland areas.
Great crested newts tend to be found in the same areas of the country
as the more common smooth newt. They are usually found with other
types of newt (although palmate newts can occur in ponds with no
other newt species).
Why is the Great Crested Newt of conservation importance?
Over the last 50 years there has been a decline in the
abundance of great crested newts in the UK. It can still be found in
most of the same areas that it used to occur, but now it occurs in
lower numbers. The loss of the great crested newt has been more
marked in continental Europe than in the UK. The UK now has the
largest population in Europe. The disappearance of this newt is
closely liked to the disappearance of ponds in our landscape, but
also to the loss of good quality habitat for newts on land around
ponds, which is so important for much of their life-cycle. Of the
three newt species native to the UK, the great crested newt has
suffered the greatest.
The Great Crested Newt in the Durham Area
How healthy are the populations of the Great Crested Newt?
In Durham the great crested newt population is thought
by local experts to be stable or slightly declining. It is quite
abundant in parts of the eastern lowlands.
How much do we know about the Great Crested Newts in
the Durham area?
The most recent thorough survey for this newt was
carried out in 1984 by Dave Green, who recorded great crested newts
at 46 ponds in County Durham, Darlington and southern Tyne and Wear.
Since then no surveys on this scale have been carried out. However
from reports gathered from Durham Wildlife Trust, English Nature and
local amphibian experts, a further 90 great crested newt sites are known.
Where has it been found in the Durham area?
Most known great crested newt ponds occur in the
eastern lowlands of County Durham, Darlington and southern Tyne and
Wear. In these areas the soil is fairly neutral in pH, providing
conditions which the newt appears to prefer. In neighbouring
Northumberland the newt also follows the Durham pattern of occuring
in the eastern lowlands. Far fewer sites are known from the western
uplands: the highest known breeding site has been recorded at 300
metres above sea level.
Threats to the Great Crested Newt
The loss of decline in quality of ponds
Drainage and in-filling of ponds as a result of the
needs of development, farming or waste disposal. If ponds are
neglected and not managed properly, eventually they become choked up
with plants and silt and eventually any open water disappears as the
pond dries up (this natural development of a pond from open water,
through to wetland and eventually to grassland and woodland is called
natural succession).
The loss of good habitat for newts around ponds
Areas of grassland, scrub and woodland around ponds
(especially within 250 metres) are important for shelter, food and
hibernation sites. The decline in quality of land around ponds for
wildlife has been a major factor contributing to the loss of newts.
It is important that this land is not overgrazed or too intensively
managed. Ponds that are highly shaded by surrounding trees are also
not ideal for great crested newts.
Stocking ponds with fish
Fish are a major predator of newt eggs and larvae.
Pollution
e.g. run off of chemicals from agricultural land and roads.
Great Crested Newts require the following conditions:
Ponds between 100m and 300m in size. Newts do not like
running water. Several ponds in a group are better than one large
pond. Ponds that dry up occasionally are also good; these have fewer
predatory invertebrates or fish. Ponds should have gently sloping
sides to allow access, shallow areas that warm up quickly and deep
areas (up to 2m) for protection from frost. They should also not be
too shaded and trees and shrubs on the southern side of ponds should
be controlled. Great crested newts have a preference for slightly
nutrient-rich water, with a pH of 6 or above. It is important that
there is a good mixture of both open water and well vegetated areas,
with aquatic, floating and marginal plants, to provide refuges, and
egg-laying sites (individual eggs are wrapped up in leaf fronds). A
variety of aquatic invertebrates is important for food.
it is important that ponds are managed in late October
to mid-January, when newts are least likely to be there. However,
consideration should be given when managing ponds for great crested
newts to other species that may be there. Care must be taken not to
lose other important species. Management tasks at key great crested
newt sites include removing excess aquatic and marginal vegetation
(particularly invasive species like reedmace,(Typha latifolia), and
leaving it on the side of the pond so that any newts present can
crawl out, removing excessive silt, removing man-made litter (again
taking care to ensure no newts or eggs are in the litter) and
removing fish.
Ideally land around ponds should have a mixture of
vegetation, particularly rough, tussocky grassland (not too heavily
grazed) and areas of scrub and trees (as long as these do not provide
too much shade over the pond). Features providing protection or
overwintering sites, such as piles of rubble, logs and walls are also
useful, as is an uneven land surface. If areas of suitable habitat
are separated by less suitable areas, corridors should be left to
allow dispersal. It is important that there is at least a hectare of
good habitat around ponds; less than that, no matter how suitable the
habitat, a viable population of great crested newts cannot be supported.
Management of land around ponds includes removing
overhanging vegetation around the shoreline, litter clearance,
controlling grazing (light grazing is good as it is better than
mowing; it reduces injury to newts). If the grass has to be cut, it
should be cut to a medium height to retain some protection for newts.
Areas of longer grass should be left as corridors between habitats
used by newts.
Important habitats for the Great Crested Newts:
Ponds, lakes and reservoirs.
Grassland, scrub, marsh and wetland habitats
surrounding ponds and lakes
Great Crested Newts and the law.
It is illegal to kill, injure, capture or possess
these newts or to damage their habitats or carry out any trade in the species.
