Church Marshes Newt Habitat Protection and Enhancement

The project aims to protect and enhance the biodiversity potential for great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) within three ponds on the Church Marshes site, two of which have previously recorded breeding newts.
This will be achieved by:
-Controlling access to the ponds and their surrounds
-Draining and allowing the third pond to dry out in order to remove the sticklebacks that are eating the great crested newt’s eggs, effectively decimating any newt populations that colonise the pond.
-Providing aquatic and perimeter plants beneficial to the newts in terms of attracting invertebrate food sources and protective cover and
-Providing information to the park visitor about the newts, their habitat and management requirements.