Assessment of the status of the great crested newt Triturus cristatus within the Scottish Natural Heritage East Highland Area, 2002

Method steps

1. Survey methodology was based on the recommendations of Griffiths et al. (1996). The following provides a summary of the methods: 1 Day visit: collection of environmental/habitat data For all sites, an adapted BRC/JNCC amphibian national recording scheme record card was completed. A sketch map of the aquatic habitats and surrounding terrestrial habitat was also completed, including the name and location of the site, boundaries, scale, direction of north, important surrounding features (aquatic and terrestrial), position and direction from which any photograph(s) taken. To enable comparison with Griffiths et al. (1996), the following environmental information was also collected on a standardised recording form: Water temperature 2 cm below the surface, Weather conditions; Length and width of each pond; % of open water; % of submerged vegetation across pond; % of emergent vegetation across pond; Turbidity (scale: clear/slightly murky/very murky). At least one photograph was taken of each water-body. 2 Egg search A search of surface and submerged vegetation around the edge of each water-bodies was undertaken to confirm the presence/absence of great crested newt T. cristatus eggs. Surveyors searched vegetation for the presence of eggs, with the characteristic way in which the leaves are wrapped around the egg being looked for.
   3 Torch survey Each pond was revisited on two occasions and torchlight night counts conducted. These were conducted between 30-90 minutes after dusk, and 60 minutes before dawn, and entailed a count of all amphibians of the accessible shoreline of each water-body. Each water-body was worked progressively around whilst scanning with the light beam of the Clulite rechargeable, 6 volt, 10 amp, 500, 000 candle power (Model GL6) torch. All counts were undertaken in favourable weather conditions, i.e. mild, dry, calm nights.