plan, which deals with the historic aspects,” Penny said, “and the biodiversity.” “We work closely with local consultants, and have to survey the newts each year. The students help by setting up newt traps in the morning, then making sure they’re all checked in the evening. Students are supervised by licensed handlers whenever in contact with newts.” “The numbers are a little bit lower this year. It is, of course, extremely warm now, but we think that drop is down to the ‘Beast from the East’ snowdrifts earlier in the year.” “We have horseshoe bats onsite as well. That’s one of around twelve species of bats here. The oldest sections of the site have segregated areas to allow the bats to roost.”
“There is a section in the medieval gatehouse, and they roost beneath our little stone bothy,
