Wichelstowe includes around 60 different ponds and lakes which are perfect habitats for wildlife including frogs, toads and Great Crested Newts. Many of these ponds existed before the development started and have been protected during the works. Over time new ponds have also been created by ecologists, designed to create the best possible habitats. Great Crested Newts are a European protected species with the animals and their eggs, breeding sites and resting places protected by law. Natural England licences are in place across Wichelstowe allowing newts to be moved and protected with annual monitoring checking that the population is thriving.
During the annual surveys, Great Crested Newts which are captured are placed on a clear plastic sheet and gently held in place using a piece of foam moulded to the size and shape of a newt. A photo is then taken of the unique marks on the newts belly and added to the database with a unique ID number. Although captured newts only present a proportion of those present on site the database currently includes 1703 different newts.
In 2023 a Great Crested Newt was captured who had first been caught and added to the database in 2017. The average lifespan of Great Crested Newts is believed to be 7 to 8 years with some living as long as 17 years.
The latest technology is now being used to undertake surveys. Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys test genetic material that is gathered directly from the habitats animals live in like pond water. This genetic material gives clues to what animals live or pass through the environment.
