In May, Morgan, Ecologist at Optimis, attended a Great Crested Newt (GCN) training course in Devon hosted by Richard Green Ecology, as part of ongoing progression towards obtaining a Great Crested Newt survey licence. The two-day course provided a valuable combination of classroom learning and practical field experience. He shares his experience with us…

The course covered a wide range of topics essential for protected species work, including Great Crested Newt ecology, legislation and licensing requirements, and identification of all UK newt species. Understanding the legal protections surrounding GCNs is particularly important, as the species is a European Protected Species.

A key part of the training focused on practical survey techniques. In the field, we gained hands-on experience carrying out Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessments, eDNA sampling, bottle trapping, egg searching, and torchlight surveys. These methods are essential tools for accurately assessing the presence or likely absence of Great Crested Newts and evaluating habitat quality.

One of the highlights of the course was the opportunity to observe and compare both Great Crested Newt eggs and common newt eggs in the field. We also encountered many great crested newts and palmate newts during the evening surveys, providing an excellent opportunity to practise species identification.

Attending courses such as this ensures our team continues to develop the specialist skills needed to deliver high-quality ecological surveys and advice. This training directly supports our Great Crested Newt services, including presence/absence surveys and guidance for developers navigating the District Licensing route. By maintaining up-to-date knowledge and practical survey experience, we are able to help clients identify potential constraints early in the planning process and provide clear, practical advice on how to successfully consider Great Crested Newts within development proposals.