Great Crested Newt Reintroduction – West Yorkshire

In 2009 Gordon Haycock was granted a Conservation Licence by Natural England which allowed the transfer of up to 600 great crested newt eggs per year for three years (2009-2011). The eggs were taken from a location near Knaresborough where a large great crested newt population is known to exist, and survey data indicated that the removal would not adversely affect the population. The donor population was tested for Chytrid fungus prior to commencement and found to be free of this disease. The eggs were introduced to the large pond at a site near Ilkley (the creation of which was partly funded by WNS) each spring for three years.

Monitoring commenced in spring 2012, however, no great crested newts were confirmed. In 2013 great crested newt eggs were recorded in aquatic vegetation on the periphery of the pond in May and on the night of 6th June two males were observed displaying and in the morning one male was captured in a bottle trap and photographed.

Population monitoring continues biennially and a medium size population is thriving at the site.