Great Crested Newt (GCN) season is here! Have you tested yet?
Detect this protected species across the UK with our reliable and cost-effective eDNA surveys today.
GCN eDNA services 2025
Choose the service that works for you. Results are delivered in just 8 working days. Prices include delivery and return shipping.
Kit only
Test ordered separately
Analysis only
8 working days
Kit & analysis
8 working days
Reports delivered via the NatureMetrics Portal. For more info on our GCN service, please read the info below and visit our Help Centre.
How to get started with GCN testing:
- Login to our portal or request access.
- Once logged in, place your order. Kits will be delivered the working day of your choice (see more info below for shipping and sample returns.)
- Need help sampling? Read our instructions here.
- Once you’ve sampled, return your kit via our GCN courier collection service. Scroll down to our shipping section to find out how to book a collection.
Keep your eDNA happy in the sun
For best results, please keep your samples away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. If you need to store samples overnight or longer, please keep them refigerated at 2 - 4°C
Why should I test for Great Crested Newts?
Great Crested Newts are protected by UK law and it’s illegal to disturb, obstruct or destroy GCN habitats. Newts can be hard to spot but our eDNA surveys allow you to detect them. Order your kit today before the season ends 30th June.
If your project involves any of the below, a GCN survey will likely be required:
- Work within 500 metres of standing water bodies, like ponds or ditches
- Projects within 1km of recorded GCN locations
- Development of sites with aquatic breeding or terrestrial resting habitats for GCN
Your GCN need-to-knows
Shipping
We handle both shipping and collection of your kits at no extra cost.
Kit delivery
Order before 11am for next working day delivery to mainland UK. (We are unable to deliver on weekends or bank holidays)
Kit return
Contact us before 5pm for free next working day courier collection. (We are unable to collect your kits on Fridays, weekends and bank holidays.)
To request your collection please contact: logistics@naturemetrics.co.uk / 0203 876 7350.
Please don't send kits back another way - we handle the courier collection of your kits to make sure your samples get to our labs in the best possible condition.
GCN Reporting
Our Portal allows you to easily control which kits are included in a report. Kits returned together and assigned to the same Portal 'project', will be reported together.
Before our courier arrives for collection, please check that each project has the correct kits assigned to it and that all kits to be reported together are being returned together. Once your used kits have been collected, you cannot re-assign kits to different projects as this change will not be recognised in your reporting. Example report available here.
GCN reports available from the Portal
Kit instructions here
FAQs & more info in our Help Centre
Queries? Contact us
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