Newts can be surveyed during the spring, using a variety of study methods. Some techniques such as egg searching within a pond, bottle trapping or netting can be useful. However, the easiest method is the use of torch counts, where a survey of the pond edge is undertaken at night using a powerful torch. A licence will be requested to survey great crested newts using this method. Palmate newts should be surveyed using a combination of torch light and netting, and ideally identified in the hand. This is due to their similarity with our third native species, the smooth newt.