Great Crested Newt survey

This summer (2024) Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) undertook Great Crested Newt (GCN) surveys at Clayton Wood. We have a small population of GCN’s with a total of 39 sightings across the survey period. However, these largely consisted of immature newts and only 4 adults were observed in total. In comparison, 12 Indvidual adults were observed in 2023.

We have had GCN’s on site since 2016, although in 2020 their were no sightings therefore continued to enhance our grounds. As a result in 2022 we installed the wetland area southeast of our large oak tree and as a result GCN numbers have flourished in the years since.

Due to a reduction in numbers, we have some work to do this winter to remove the algae which we hope will improve the habitat for the GCN’s, as the build up of algae in the wetland ponds is thought to be a contributory factor to their decline.

Excess algae can be a problem with new ponds as nutrient levels tend to run high whilst oxygenating vegetation establishes. Watch this space as we look forward to updating you next year on GCN’s and other wildlife findings.