Great crested newts survey method
Recognise
Seventy ponds were identified within 500m of the M62 junction 10-12 SMP scheme. Each pond has a risk of presence of great crested newts (GCN), which are protected. There is an unlimited penalty and risk of reputational damage if a GCN is harmed or by undertaking unlicensed activities.
A habitat survey index had ruled out GCN presence in 55 of the ponds. For the remaining 15 ponds the current method is to use a bottle trap technique to check ponds for the presence of GCNs. This is time consuming as the trapping method must be repeated four times with waiting periods in-between as directed by Natural England. The time-consuming activity is a risk to programme commencement. There are also both seasonal and temperature restrictions on when GCN trapping can be carried out.
Define
Purpose
- To identify the presence of GCNs, a survey has to be undertaken. This aims to improve this process.
- To reduce the amount of time to verify whether a population survey of GCNs is required.
- To improve reliability of survey.
Deliverables
- DNA samples of pond water providing accurate data on presence of GCNs with documentation.
- Outline environmental management plan to reflect presence or absence of GCN.
Stakeholder benefits
- BAM Morgan Sindall Joint Venture (bmJV) – To mitigate the risk of delays to the start of works due to presence of GCN
- WSP/Aecom – More efficient use of their Ecologist resource
- National Highways – Safeguarding programming through risk mitigation
- Natural England – Environmental responsibility
Success criteria
- Reduce cycle time to evaluate if GCNs are present
- Time saving for ecologists
- Reduce risk of GCNs holding up the works
- Greater confidence in programme delivery
- Cost savings
- Environmental benefits
Measure
A current-state value stream map was prepared. We identified that two ecologists were required on multiple visits throughout a seven-week period to check for the presence of GCNs. Natural England has stated that you are to "assume GCN are absent if there is no evidence of them after four visits".
A fishbone diagram was completed with the scheme's environmental advisor to understand the challenges of traditional trapping due to both seasonal and temperature restrictions on trapping.
The financial implications of harming a GCN are unlimited fines and reputational damage.
Analyse
The traditional bottle trapping method involved having two ecologists on site for manually trapping the GCNs throughout the 15 different areas, which takes four days to carry out each time. There's a nine-day wait dictated by Natural England before trapping can be repeated.
It then takes one day to return the results. Following the guidelines from Natural England you are to trap four times before assuming there is no presence in the area. This meant the overall cycle time for GCN trapping of 15 ponds was seven weeks.
Improve
Use of Environmental DNA (eDNA) testing of ponds can verify the presence of GCNs from their DNA within water samples. A two-day turnaround of results can dramatically reduce cycle time and cost. The eDNA testing kit and lab results cost £340 per pond.
As with the traditional method, two ecologists are required as they do not work alone; however, once the water samples results have been received there is a definitive answer as to whether there is presence of GCN in the area.
This reduced the programmed trapping time from seven weeks to four days. From the 15 ponds surveyed, two were identified as having GCNs present. The eDNA survey had quickly identified the areas where the team Deliverables needed to focus.
Control
The use of eDNA testing gives a greater confidence in the results of GCN presence within the area. This gives the team a more certain programme of works within those specific areas without the risk of GCN presence.
Transfer
This project has been shared with other bmJV schemes and is being uploaded to the National Highways Lean tracker.
