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Dog walkers asked 'to think of the newts'

Karen Gardner
BBC News, West of England
Forestry England/Crown A close-up of a dark coloured warty newt with a speckled orange underside sat on an outstretched hand in a woodland. The newt looks as if it's looking toward the cameraForestry England/Crown
Warty newts breed from March to June and are more vulnerable to harm during this period

Walkers taking dogs into community woodland are being asked to ensure their dogs do not harm a rare and protected newt species during its breeding season.

Nightingale Woods, in South Marston, is home to a population of rare great crested newts, the UK's largest newt species.

Forestry England says dogs are welcome in the woods, near Swindon, but should be stopped from entering the ponds so the newts are left to breed in peace. "We want walkers to think of the newts when their dogs are close to the ponds," said Forestry England's Sam Pegler.

Known as warty newts or little dinosaurs due to their distinctive crest, they are a protected species across Europe and can grow up to 17cm (7in) in length. They have been in decline for the past 50 years.

A small pond in Nightingale Woods with a few rocks jutting out on the right, surrounded by trees, muddy ground and grass on an overcast day
Leaving the ponds undisturbed protects the adult newts, the eggs and - once hatched - the juvenile newts

Mr Pegler, ecologist and operations manager for Forestry England, explained the newts spent most of their time outside of water in dark damp places on the ground, "such as among leaf litter and under logs".

"But from March to June they return to the water to breed," he said.

"If the water is repeatedly disturbed it stirs up sediment which blocks out valuable sunlight for aquatic plants".

Mr Pegler said contamination with dog flea treatments also caused harm to both the newts and the insects they ate and would damage the pond's ecosystem.

Sam Pegler (pictured left) and Nikki Morgans (right) from Forestry England in Nightingale Woods surrounded by bare trees and bushes and muddy ground. They are both wearing black and green Forestry England branded zip-up jackets. Sam has short dark hair and is smiling at the camera. Nikki has long blonde hair and has a red dog lead draped around her neck, smiling at the camera.
Sam Pegler (left) and Nikki Morgans, from Forestry England, say dogs are welcome but must be "kept under control"

Area forester Nikki Morgans said: "I think most dog owners use the woodland with care, but we want to highlight the need to leave the ponds undisturbed at this time of year.

"Spring is the breeding season for many of our birds and animals, and it's really helpful if our visitors take that extra bit of care to ensure their dogs leave wildlife in peace to breed and care for their young."

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