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Water Vole
'From Coals to Voles' Durham Wildlife Trusts Water Vole Recovery Project, funded by Heritage Lottery. Please click HERE for information about one of the UK's fastest declining species of mammal or to record a sighting. |
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Amphibians
There are six species of amphibians native to Britain, five are known to occur in County Durham, namely:
• Common Frog
• Common Toad
• Smooth Newt
• Palmate Newt
• Great Crested Newt
• Natterjack Toad (not present in Durham) |
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This group of animals is closely associated with open water habitats on which they rely for the bulk of their life cycle. For some species the surrounding terrestrial habitats are equally important. Within the county, however, natural pools and wetlands have become extremely scarce largely as a result of agricultural drainage. Consequently amphibian populations have had to adapt to suitable man-made wetlands such as artificial ponds, subsidence pools and flooded gravel and clay pits. Think you've got Great Crested Newts? Let us know by filling in our online survey form HERE. |
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Great Crested Newt Project
This project is run jointly with Durham Wildlife Trust and Darlington Borough Council and funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The aim of the project is to map all great crested newt sites within the Darlington Borough. Much of the information is old and certain ponds may have dried up or no longer host great crested newts. Click HERE for more information. |
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Reptiles
Of the six native species of reptile in Britain, four can be found in County Durham: |
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• Grass Snake
• Adder
• Slow Worm
• Common Lizard
• Smooth Snake (not present in Durham)
• Sand Lizard (not present in Durham) |
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| All of these species are seldom seen not only because of their small size and secretive habits, but also as a result of their increasing scarcity. Seen a grass snake, slow worm or adder? Let us know by filling in our online survey form HERE. |
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Otter
Otters are semi-aquatic mammals and are superbly adapted to their environment having webbed feet and sensitive whiskers to locate prey in murky water. They were once common and widespread throughout Britain. Beginning in the late 1950's the otter population underwent a dramatic decline. The otter is now recovering in County Durham. To record an otter sighting click HERE. |
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Badgers
The badger has been present in Britain for thousands of years. It has a truly omnivorous diet, eating anything from earthworm to windfall fruit. Despite being harmless and secretive animals, badgers have suffered centuries of persecution from man. |
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