2006 Great Crested Newt Monitoring Project


Despite the fact that it is the middle of winter it's time to start thinking about the forthcoming surveying season. In order to make sure that maps for survey areas are prepared in time for the start of the season we need to get a list of required maps to the Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre by the end of January. Thank you to everybody who completed the questionnaire that was sent out before Christmas. Your comments have helped us to make changes to this year's survey that should make things as easy as possible for you.

KRAG hope you would like to take part in the survey this year (and many of you have already indicated that you will) as your contribution is very much appreciated. This year's training course will take place on Saturday 25th February, 2006 at Coldharbour Farm, Wye between 11.30am and 7.00pm. We hope you can all attend. Those that took part in the survey last year are more than welcome to attend the training day to refresh your skills and discuss possible ponds to survey, but it is not essential that you attend. For those of you that are new to the survey and do not have a GCN licence it is essential that you attend this training day. A second course is also being organised by the Kent High Weald Project. Details of this course will be made available soon.

2006 Pond Selection
There are several options for choosing your central pond for the 2006 survey:

1. Choose a pond selected by KRAG.
2. Choose a pond that is local to you.
3. Repeat a survey that you undertook in a previous year.

What to do next
Contact Laura Watson at BTCV and let her know if you are attending the training event and which pond you would like your survey effort to be centred around. Ideally, give her a ring (01233 812033) so that we can ensure the pond you choose has not been allocated to somebody else but e-mail would be fine as well.

A huge thank you for all of your efforts over the years. A report, detailing the impact that this project has had on known amphibian distribution will be available by the time of the February training event.

Mike Philips

Posted: Mon - January 16, 2006 at 09:01 pm        

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