Nature enthusiasts in the Borders are working to protect rare newts by restoring ancient wetlands. Over a week, volunteers will join ecologists to excavate three former ponds near Selkirk.
Despite these wetlands drying up and becoming overgrown in recent decades, scientists are hopeful that the great crested newts, which are heavily protected, still inhabit the area.
Dr Karen Blackport said: “It is absolutely critical that we to do this type of restoration as we are losing so much of our native wildlife.”
Habitat loss is the main cause of the decline in great crested newt numbers across Scotland and the wider UK since the mid-20th century. These iconic amphibians are now so protected that it is a criminal offense to harm them, their eggs, or their habitats.
Bright Green Nature (BGN), a Borders-based charity, conducted studies on sites near Selkirk in 2022. They determined that the former wetlands in and around the Haining estate could be restored to create ideal habitats for amphibians. The presence of glyceria, a plant that thrives in these areas, has raised hopes that the great crested newts will return to the ponds.
Dr Blackport, from BGN, added: “Glyceria is naturally growing everywhere around here, and great crested newts like to lay their eggs on this plant in early summer.
“We identified three old ponds across two neighbouring sites that we are developing to maximise biodiversity for wildlife.
“There is anecdotal evidence that newts used to be seen in this area, so once the ponds are restored it will be a case of continued monitoring to see which species return.”
Last winter, preparatory work began on the adjacent sites, including the construction of a hibernacula, a safe space for amphibians and reptiles. With permission now secured, excavation is about to begin on the three identified former ponds.
Regular DNA testing of water samples will be conducted over the coming months and years to determine which amphibians have returned to the ponds.
Dr Blackport added: “The sites will become real living laboratories – educational discovery centres – where students and others can come and learn.
“We have lost so much of our native wildlife through habitat loss or the arrival of invasive species, that these types of restoration projects are vital for the long-term survival of the species we still have.”
In addition to great crested newts, it is hoped that the Selkirk ponds will attract the country’s other two newt species: smooth and palmate. Monitoring of frogs, toads, and wader birds will also take place once the wetlands are established.
The restoration of the Haining and Deer Park wetlands is the latest project in Scotland and the UK aimed at increasing great crested newt numbers. The Highland Amphibian Reptile Project successfully relocated 20 newts to beaver ponds near Loch Ness. Following an appeal by the Tweed Forum, 13 small ponds have also been created in the Scottish Borders as part of the Great Crested Newt Project.
The Selkirk restoration project is supported by Nature Scot.
Prof Colin Galbraith, who chairs the agency, said: “It’s projects like this that can really help to stop biodiversity loss and enable us to move towards a nature-rich future for everyone in Scotland.”
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