New newt ponds

GREAT CRESTED NEWT – JOHN BRIDGES

Great crested newts, the largest and rarest of the UK’s newt species, have undergone a huge decline in the last 100 years. By nature of being amphibians, they are dependent on water for part of their life cycle, and great crested newts are particularly sensitive to a clean and healthy home for their offspring. The loss and degradation of ponds has had a catastrophic impact on the species; however, Durham Wildlife Trust is working to reverse this damage by creating a fresh network of ponds tailored for these ‘fire-bellied’ amphibians. Working in partnership with Natural England, the Trust is engaging with landowners across Durham and Darlington to create bespoke newt ponds, with funding made available through the District Level License development mitigation scheme.

The Trust relaunched its school trips programme to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week this May, which had nature as its theme for 2021.

Adventure Schools include a wild day out at either Rainton Meadows or Low Barns nature reserves, with activities including pond dipping, bug hunting, guided walks, and animal and plant identification.

Durham Wildlife Trust Director, Jim Cokill, said: “There is so much evidence that spending time with nature is great for mental health, and the challenges of the pandemic have underlined just how important it is to be out in the fresh air. “We are blessed with some wonderful nature reserves in our region with fantastic educational facilities and an expert team ready to support children and young people.”

Pond locations are selected in areas which have the potential to enhance and better support existing great crested newt populations. The scheme aims to make existing populations more robust and widespread, able to withstand future impacts of climate change and stochastic events. Potential pond sites must fulfil a set of important criteria, such as low risk of contamination from run-off and pollution; having an unshaded and sunny south bank; and being in close proximity to good terrestrial habitat for newt activity outside of the breeding season. Having created 14 ponds in early spring, and another 36 being created this summer and autumn, the Trust is delighted to be able to create more good-quality habitat for newts – not to mention the wealth of other wildlife that will reap the benefits. The creation and monitoring of these new ponds also enables us to engage with more landowners across the region, supporting them to become more wildlife-friendly and enjoy the nature on their doorstep. To book an Adventure School visit, go to durhamwt.com/

To find out whether you might be eligible to have ponds created on your land, or for more information about the work we are doing, please contact Kirsty, kpollard@durhamwt.co.uk

Exploring Nature Together is an exciting new intergenerational project in Crook and Willington. Over ten weeks, our engagement team will take children and older people on a journey to discover and explore local parks and greenspaces, so that they can experience the rich variety of plants, birds and animals that live there. Grants Officer, Anne Gladwin, said: “This wonderful opportunity will be a chance to share learning and experiences between generations.” This project has been made possible with funding from 3 Towns Partnership and EDF Energy Renewables - Broom Hill Windfarm Community Benefits Fund with County Durham Community Foundation. The project will be carried out following Government Guidelines for Covid-19.

The Trust was delighted to reopen the doors of its Rainton Meadows visitor centre gift shop in May, and get back out on the road to meet supporters at events across the area. Membership Development Officer, Emily Routledge, said: “While our doors have been shut we’ve been busy behind the scenes moving the Rainton Meadows store to a new location and giving it a refresh. We’ve also updated our stock with some great new additions to our range of local, wildlife-themed products. The store is staffed by some wonderful volunteers, who are looking forward to meeting lots of visitors over the summer months. “We’ve also been able to take our pop-up membership stand back on the road to events across the region, and it has been wonderful to be able to share our message for wildlife with lots of new supporters.”

Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne & Wear, DH4 6PU.

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