SUSTAINABILITY

AROUND THE REGIONS
Wiltshire
MOD Corsham
20
Overgrown pond © Nicky Wookey
A purpose built pond for great crested
newts (GCN) Triturus cristatus was
surveyed in 2007 and confirmed the
presence of the species as well as
palmate Lissotriton helveticus and
smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris.
Unfortunately a repeat survey in 2013
only found palmate and smooth newts.
The reason for their absence is
unknown, although a combination of
predation and a reduction in habitat
quality may be factors. This prompted
conservation works to the pond which
included cutting back banks of bramble
and trimming trees to reduce shading.
As pond management works were
proposed for late 2014, a follow up
survey was carried out in April 2014. This
confirmed a maximum count of 14 GCN,
along with smooth and palmate newts.
out the pond management work
providing the method statement was
followed to the letter. The aim was to
undertake habitat improvement in
January 2015.
The majority of the pond had been
swamped by reed, with over-hanging
willow on its northern and eastern side.
Leaf litter, branches and silt equated to
approximately 30cm in depth.
To improve the condition of the
pond in line with the GCN
Conser vation Handbook the
following task s were identified.
• Partially pulling of emergent
vegetation
• Cutting back over hanging trees
• Partial-desilting and clearance
of leaf-fall
Where possible the works proposed
would aim to provide the following
characteristics:
• Surface area between 100
and 300m 2
• Depth may vary; both deep
(up to 4m) and shallows
• Substantial cover of submerged
and marginal vegetation
• Open areas to facilitate courtship
• Absence of shading on the
south side
• Absence of fish
• Absence or low density of
water fowl
Partial removal of marginal and
emergent vegetation was carried out
by hand and a ‘fringe’ of vegetation
was left around at least a half of the
pond edge.
Trees and scrub on the northern side
of the pond were retained though
shading vegetation on the southern
sides was removed. Log piles were left
and scrub vegetation was cut-back just
above ground level. Care was taken
not to remove vegetation in areas that
may be used as a hibernacula.
Silt and debris was removed by hand
to increase the general depth of the
pond and provide open areas.
Nicky Wookey
Compliance Advisor
Interserve Support Services
As GCNs were recorded, under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as
amended), no works should be
undertaken in and around the pond
without a Conservation Licence from
Natural England (NE). Af ter discussions
with NE, it was confirmed that a licence
would not be required as the method
statement was updated. Interserve
personnel were given the task to carry
Conservation works to the pond © Nicky Wookey
Sanctuary 44 • 2015 93