Great Crested Newt Ecology and Surveying is a comprehensive introduction to the species, its ecology and how to survey for them. It is delivered as an online, self-study course.

Great Crested Newts are a UK-protected species, widespread across lowland England. They occupy a range of habitats, in rural, suburban and urban areas. Although they breed in ponds, they spend much of their life on land. As they are fully protected by the law, it is crucial that ecologists and land managers understand their ecology and how to survey for them as they are frequently encountered during developments and vegetation clearance. This course provides a good introduction for those wishing to work towards a Great Crested Newt Licence (experience also required).

Great Crested Newt Ecology and Surveying, Course Content:

This is an introductory level course suitable for those working in consultancy or conservation. The course will cover the following topics:

• Ecology and habitat requirements
• Newt identification
• Legislation and licences
• Survey techniques
  
• Habitat Suitability Index

At the end of the course, you will do a short quiz and if you get over 70% you will get a Certificate.

This course is two videos:

Part 1 covers Ecology, identification, legislation, threats, habitat management and diseases. Run time 1hr 34 mins.

Part 2 covers surveying for GCN including bottle trapping, netting, egg searching, torching, eDNA sampling and Habitat Suitability Index assessments. Run time 35 mins.

You will also be provided with the Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook, the HSI instructions and Calculator and the Amphibian Habitat Management Handbook as handouts.

Here’s what our students are saying:

I loved doing this course. I find newts really interesting little creatures and this is a great introduction for what you are looking for, the different ways to trap them (with a license) and the habitat they need.

Helen Greenleaves

Very informative. Provides an excellent foundation for those who wish to further their knowledge and skills in GCN survey work.

Phillippa

The course was great! I really enjoyed it and it’s made me even more enthusiastic about becoming an ecologist and being able to do things like this full time. I’m really looking forward to hopefully being able to gain some practical experience this year to go alongside it

Rachel

I liked the ability to undertake the course at my own pace.

Naomi

I liked the ability to undertake the course at my own pace.

Naomi

The teaching is excellent. It’s clear, precise and easy to follow. The knowledge from Sue is fantastic and it’s taught in a very understandable way with no rush. It’s been really good and I feel I’ve been able to retain the information well because of the way the course has been taught.

Max

A career change in your 40’s its quite a daunting prospect, and even though I had completed lots of self study, small courses and training- I knew there were likely a few gaps in my knowledge, so doing a full structured course made good sense. Whilst some of the content was quite familiar, I was surprised by just how big some of the knowledge gaps were – it really boosted my confidence studying the modules and realising why they were so important. It is a great course that I would recommend to anyone wanting to qualify in Conservation, and has certainly helped me in my new career working as part of a landscape recovery project team

Bill Bradshaw

Flexibility and easy to follow layout.

Michael

Useful links, detailed information, great supporting photos

Claire

ETUK- has really given me a step up into the ecology sector. I feel confident and motivated to take my career development in this direction, particularly in bat work, this course has given me the foundations to achieve that. Thank you 🙂

Georgina