Protected newts discovered in overgrown ponds

Great crested newts have been discovered in overgrown ponds thought to have been uninhabitable.

Experts found a stable, healthy population of the protected species in three ponds in north Swindon, Wiltshire – despite the fact that the water dries up in hot weather.

The newts were found in a survey by conservationists from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, who were joined by Jake Chandler of St Andrews Parish Council.

Mr Chandler said: 'If we want to protect [the newts], it's vital to protect the habitats they live in, so we'll be looking at ways of doing more for that.'

Mr Chandler said the ponds were thought to have been created by a housing developer in 2000 to rehome newts found on site.

"In the last 25 years the ponds have become very overgrown, and some of them dry up in dry weather, so the assumption was that any newt population was long gone," he said.

The councillor said surveys could now be carried out at other locations nearby.

The species has suffered enormous declines, according to Natural England, with approximately 50% of ponds in the UK lost in the 20th Century and 80% of current ponds in a poor state.

The wildlife trust has a licence from Natural England allowing members to carry out surveys and disturb newts – the research involves putting out traps to temporarily catch them.

Mr Chandler, who was able to handle the newts under supervision from the conservationists, added: "I have an allotment, and I've found and returned common newts to ponds, but it was the first time I'd held a great crested newt."

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