Great Crested Newts and Development
Tuesday 15 – Wednesday 16 April 2008
Location: Bolton, Lancashire
Participant Standard: Intermediate
Tutor(s): David Orchard AIEEM and Pat Waring CEnv MIEEM
This workshop is aimed at those working with great crested newts (GCN) and related issues. It will give workshop participants an understanding of GCN ecology, habitat requirements, legislation, licensing, surveys and monitoring. It will also give an introduction to some of the issues relating to mitigation projects and will include both classroom and fieldwork sessions.
NB: Accommodation is not included.
Further Information:
This workshop will cover:
- GCN Identification
- Habitat preferences and ecology of gcn
- Survey techniques for GCN, including practical exercise
- Site visits to Darcy Lever Gravel Pits (County Wildlife Site)
- Interpretation of survey results
- Legal protection of GCN
- An understanding of GCN licensing and mitigation measures
The course tutors will provide guidance and support for people wishing to become involved in, or improve their knowledge of, work associated with great crested newts.
The two days will be based Bolton, Lancashire and will provide excellent opportunities to look at a site supporting breeding ponds and sheltering areas for great crested newts.
Trainees will have close encounters with great crested newts, get involved in a newt monitoring scheme and thoroughly immerse themselves in newt conservation.
Who should attend this workshop?
This course is aimed at ecologists and other professionals (such as local authority rangers and planners) whose work may bring them into contact with great crested newts. This course will cover best practice and will ensure that people understand how to work legally and in the best interest of this protected species. People wishing to work towards a great crested newt survey licence will find the whole course very relevant.
Bring with you:
- High powered torch, suitable for conducting torch searches
- Outdoor clothing and wellies
- Please take a look through the English Nature Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines before the start of the course.
What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
- Identification of GCN
- Habitat preferences and ecology of GCN
- Survey techniques for GCN
- Interpretation of survey results
- Legal protection
- An overview of GCN licensing and mitigation measures
Programme:
Tuesday 15 April
10.00 Arrival and coffee
10.30 Health and safety/ housekeeping matters
10.45 Identification of GCN
11.45 Break
12.00 Ecology of GCN
13.00 Lunch
13.30 Site visit to Darcy Lever Gravel Pits
14.30 Assessing habitats for GCN
15.30 Site assessment exercise: preparation of habitat map
16.30 Informal discussion then depart to accommodation
18.30 Evening meal and networking
20.30 GCN surveying demonstration including setting of bottle traps
21.30 Finish
Wednesday 16 April
08.30 Retrieval of bottles from surveying exercise
09.30 Introduction to legislation and DEFRA licensing issues
10.30 Survey preparation
11.30 Break
11.45 An overview of gcn mitigation measures
13.00 Lunch
13.30 GCN mitigation scenario
16.00 Course summary and final questions
16.20 Coffee and informal discussion for those interested
17.00 Depart
Cost: £60 IEEM members, £120 non-members.