An array of cliff-top wildlife has been uncovered at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, during work to ensure a protected species is left undisturbed by upcoming development works.

Ahead of the visitor centre and car park being redeveloped, the nature reserve enlisted the help of Driffield-based, Wold Ecology, to ensure a colony of great crested newts – a European protected species – could be safely trapped and relocated to another part of the reserve. During trapping, as well as 59 great crested newts, the monitoring team also found more than 800 common toads, about 10 common frogs along with a number of small mammals.

Keith Clarkson, Bempton Cliffs’ site manager, said: “Although our biggest attraction is undoubtedly the thousands of seabirds, it is fabulous to uncover the range of other wildlife living on our reserve.

“As a conservation organisation, the RSPB protects more than birds: we care about the welfare of all wildlife. So it is extremely important to us to ensure the great crested newts – and the other menagerie of wildlife we’ve uncovered – is well looked after during and after redevelopment.”

Great crested newts are Britain’s largest newt species, reaching up to 17cm (7in) in length.

Although they are protected by European law, their population has declined due to habitat destruction. At RSPB Bempton Cliffs, 950 metres of amphibian fencing was installed to create an area where newts could be caught safely before being re-released to another area of the site, a safe distance away from any upcoming construction work.

The development works, which started last month, are taking place thanks to £639,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The reserve and car park will be closed from September 1 to March 1, but public footpaths will remain accessible.

To keep updated on progress, visitrspb.org.uk/bemptoncliffs