Join a newt survey with a Gibside Ranger (two day event)
Join Gibside Ranger Nick to help complete a real newt survey.
- Booking essential
- Free event
*Please note this event runs over two days. Thursday 24 April (8.30pm-10pm) and Friday 25 April (7.30am-9am). Participants will be required to leave Gibside at 10pm on Thursday and return at 7.30am the next day.*
This is an incredible opportunity to see newts up close and help with a real wildlife survey. Gibside is home to great crested newts, smooth newts, and palmate newts, and there is the possibility of seeing all three species.
Thursday evening: visit the Walled Garden pond and begin with a short interactive talk from Ranger Nick about the newt species, amphibians and water invertebrates at Gibside. You will then take part in a ‘torching’ session around the Walled Garden pond, where you will search for newts and their eggs with torches. Special traps will be laid to safely catch newts overnight.
Friday morning: join Nick again in the morning to see what has entered the newt traps overnight. This is your opportunity to see the creatures up close. Learn how to identify various species and help to record the finds.
Newts and their habitats are protected by the law. This survey is under the supervision of a licenced professional.
This event is aimed at adults and older interested children, ages 12+.
Times
The basics
- Booking details
Call 0344 249 1895
- Suitability
Age 12+, children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Meeting point
Meet outside Visitor Reception at 8.30pm, where Ranger Nick will meet you. Please do not go past Visitor Reception before you have met him.
- What to bring and wear
Please wear sturdy, waterproof boots or wellies. Please also dress for the weather, and be aware you may get wet and muddy.
- Accessibility
This event is not suitable for wheelchair users, as it will require participants to access the edge of the pond. The event will involve a short walk followed by standing for around 1.5 hours at a time. Please email lucy.stockdale@nationaltrust.org.uk if you have any questions about access.
- Other
To help us look after the newts and other amphibians you may encounter during this experience, we kindly request no dogs. In certain weather conditions this event may need to be cancelled. Please check our website and your emails before setting off.
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