Ecological fencing may be required if land is known to support protected species such as great crested newts and water voles, or as a requirement prior to development projects taking place as these species will need to be relocated to new habitats.
Newt fencing
Newt fencing or Temporary Amphibian Fencing (TAF) is the term for a barrier used to keep amphibians (typically great crested newts) contained or kept out of a specific area – i.e. in wildlife sanctuaries and out of development projects.
Newt fencing can also be used to trap and relocate amphibians from an area where development works would damage their natural environment. Newt fencing may also be required in order to carry out surveys on the populations of amphibians and small mammals in certain areas.
All newt fencing is governed by guidelines provided by Natural England and must meet specific requirements. However, it generally consists of a low fence constructed using plastic sheeting buried a short way in to the ground and supported by wooden posts.
Newt fencing may also be known as drift fencing or temporary amphibian fencing (TAF).
There are three main categories of newt fencing:
- Temporary – commonly used for wildlife surveys and where the fence is expected to have a life span of less two years
- Semi-permanent – used for short term development projects and where the fence is expected to have a life span of two to five years
- Permanent – this would be used for the containment of amphibians within a designated area such as a wildlife sanctuary and where the fence is expected to have a life span of more than five years.
For more details on newt and ecological fencing, or to discuss your requirements, please contact us on 01270 619147 or mail@suddenstrike.co.uk.