Press Release Summary: Stroud Valleys Project is offering the chance on Friday 18th + Saturday 19th April to come face to face with the UK's very own dragon - only this one breathes water and not fire! This is a once a year opportunity for people to help with a survey of one of the best populations of great crested newts in the South West of England and see these dramatic looking animals face to face. But this important protection and educational work will end if Stroud Valleys Project closes down just when the numbers of newts seem to be at their lowest.
Press Release Body: The Great-crested newt is the UK's rarest amphibian, protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Like all UK amphibians, the great-crested newt needs to find a pond to lay eggs and where its young can survive for the first few months of their lives. One of the best sites in the South-west of England for these endangered newts has been in Stonehouse, and, at the request of Stonehouse Town Council, Stroud Valleys Project has been surveying the pond every April since 2002 to check on how the newt population is doing. There was much concern that the new housing development at Court View, which was built around the pond, would harm the newts. However, accurate conclusions can only be drawn after the pond has been surveyed over a long period of time of at least 20 years as amphibian populations naturally go up and down every year. But the gathering of this long term information is at jeopardy as Stroud Valleys Project faces the threat of closure. Last year the results were the worst recorded of the past 7 years surveys with only xxx newts found. So it is hoped that the recent spell of cold weather won't have had an adverse effect on the animals, and that the numbers will have recovered.
As well as carrying out scientific study of the population, the survey also has a vital educational role as it enables the public to learn about one of England's rarest and fascinating animals, facts such as the male's penchant for dancing and perfume! At breeding time, the male great crested newt performs a sensual dance around the female, releasing pheromones into the water. These are special chemicals which makes him attractive to the female and encourages her to mate with him. Great crested newts also have a fabulous fire orange coloured belly which people would only ever get to see at events like this as the law forbids non-experts from handling them. The males also have huge crests running along their 6 inch body - everyone should see a great-crested newt at least once in their lives!
One of the country's leading newt experts, who lives in Stroud, will be leading the newt survey and giving people close up views of these mini-dragons. On Friday evening, 18th April, between 7.30pm - 9.00pm, special newt friendly bottle traps will be put in the pond to catch the newts during the night. On Saturday morning (the 19th), the newts are counted before being returned to the pond.
One of the main causes of the great-crested newts' scarcity is the destruction of ponds and wetlands. It is estimated that 75% of ponds have disappeared in the past 150 years because of lack of use and infilling. Drainage of wet grasslands has also contributed as outside of the breeding season newts live on land, finding damp and dark places to hide away in. So it is also important that enough land around the pond is also managed in the correct way to provide a home for these stunning animals during the rest of the year. Stroud Valleys Project is talking to the current owners of the site, George Wimpey Homes, about its future to make sure that the newt pond gets the necessary protection to ensure that the newts will always have a place to breed. The protection of these local wildlife hotspots is another service under threat from the financial crisis that Stroud Valleys Project is experiencing. As it's a locally based organisation, SVP is well placed to hear about good, smaller places for wildlife that the larger organisations may overlook, and respond far more rapidly to local need than large organisations could.
Anyone who's interested in newts is welcome to come along to either or both events. The cost of taking part is £3/adult and £2/child, and people should call Stroud Valleys Project on 01453-753358 to book their place and to get information about where to meet. Places on the event are limited so booking as soon as possible is advised. Outdoor clothing and stout footwear should be worn.
Web Site: http://www.StroudValleysProject.org
Contact Details: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: CAROLINE AISTROP Telephone: 01453 753358 or 07894-663436 Fax: 01453 755641 Email: info@stroudvalleysproject.org Website: www.StroudValleysProject.org
2022
