Fire destroys part of rare newts' habitat

5 hours ago

Trees and grass caught fire in a blaze at Hampton Nature Reserve, a legally protected site not open to the public

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service A row of small trees and shrubs on the side of a path which are on fire. There are orange flames in the trees and grass towards the left. Smoke is rising from the blackened soil. — Trees and grass caught fire in a blaze at Hampton Nature Reserve, a legally protected site not open to the public

A charity which runs a fire-hit nature reserve known for its large population of rare great crested newts said the amphibians had "lost an important part of their home".

The fire broke out at privately owned Hampton Nature Reserve, which is run by Froglife, on Tuesday afternoon. At its height nine crews battled the flames.

About 12 acres (4.8 hectares) of the 300-acre site (121 hectares) were affected by the fire, the cause of which is believed to be accidental, said Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"We're concerned that some animals may have been killed in the fire," said Jenny Tse-Leon, Froglife's head of conservation and impact.

"Those that managed to escape have lost the habitat they rely on for shelter, feeding and breeding."

It is home to exceptionally high numbers of great crested newts because there are so many breeding ponds at Hampton

Froglife A close-up of a great crested newt showing its head, front arms and a bit of its back. It has black skin and white dots on its underbelly can just be seen. It is resting on the ground. — It is home to exceptionally high numbers of great crested newts because there are so many breeding ponds at Hampton

The fire service had only just scaled down a major incident at Holme Fen when crews were called to the blaze at Hampton, another large outdoor fire and about 24 other incidents on Tuesday, a fire service spokesperson said.

The Hampton fire broke out at about 15:40 BST and spread to grass and trees.

The spokesperson said crews "worked hard using jets, hose reels and beaters to extinguish a fire", assisted by a farmer with a water bowser.

They got it under control by about 19:30 and the last firefighters left the scene at about 22:00, returning for inspections.

Tse-Leon praised their work, saying: "We're very grateful for their efforts in bringing these incidents under control and limiting the damage."

It is usually a peaceful place which attracts a huge variety of wildlife

Froglife A watery ditch or pond, fringed with reeds, green grass and white flowers. The edge of the ditch rises up to a blue sky. There is a small tree on the far left growing out of the ditch. — It is usually a peaceful place which attracts a huge variety of wildlife

The reserve, a former brick pit, has been managed by the charity since 2003.

It is closed to the public because of the presence of protected species. The site is legally protected as a Special Area of Conservation, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Natura 2000 site.

Visitors are only allowed to visit Hampton as part of Froglife's organised events.

"The recent rainfall is very welcome and has helped reduce the immediate fire risk, but unfortunately the damaged habitat will take time to recover," said Tse-Leon.

"In the meantime, the reptiles that survived have lost an important part of their home and may have very limited suitable habitat to move into."

What is a great crested newt?

Numbers of great crested newts have declined rapidly in recent decades

Getty Images A great crested newt walking through water along white pebbles. Its crest is raised above its back and tail. Beyond it is water weed. — Numbers of great crested newts have declined rapidly in recent decades

It is the biggest and rarest newt species in the UK
It has been around for about 40 million years
Adults have black or dark brown skin and can grow up to 15cm (6in) in length
Males have a crest along their backs, which is more pronounced during the breeding season
They are legally protected under UK law, making it an offence to kill, injure, capture, disturb them or their habitat

Source: Froglife

A series of linear spoil heaps and trenches, made when extracting brick clay, make up a large part of the reserve

Froglife An aerial shot of Hampton nature reserve. It shows long lines of watery ponds running up towards the top of the image. Each pond is carved out of the land, which is covered in pale yellow and green vegetation. — A series of linear spoil heaps and trenches, made when extracting brick clay, make up a large part of the reserve

Hampton is also home to slow-worms, grass snakes, dragonflies and butterflies, and attracts many birds.

Tse-Leon urged visitors to nature reserves to be careful to avoid anything that might start a fire, such as safely disposing of cigarettes, not using barbecues and taking glass home.

"A moment's carelessness can have a devastating impact on wildlife and the places they depend on," she added.