Development Meets Conservation: Our Hibernacula Project for Great Crested Newts

At Optimis, our ecologists have undertaken countless newt surveys, but what happens when great crested newts are found? Here our new recruit Rhys Franks, writes about a project we recently worked on to create hibernacula for a client (and some very happy newts) in Central Bedfordshire.

We were approached by a client to help ensure their site development did not disrupt Great Crested Newts. Previous records showed the presence of newts within close proximity to the site as well as the site being an ideal habitat for newts.

In consultation with Nature Space, the use of hibernacula as an alternative habitat was agreed so that our client could retain their original plan, whilst also ensuring the preservation of newts. Hibernacula are a terrestrial habitat which consist of underground chambers that amphibians and reptiles can use during the winter to hibernate and protect themselves from the cold.

The Optimis Ecology team supervised and assisted in the planning and construction of multiple hibernacula on site. In the pictures you can see our Assistant Ecologist Morgan Taylor (blue hard hat) assisting with the construction of the hibernacula. Having just graduated, it was really interesting to see a habitat creation project in action, which I have no doubt that the newts will approve of!

 

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