It's been 10 long years but it's finally here

[BUMPKIN]

Ten years ago we moved into a house with a pond. My other half and I found this very exciting. At the time it had fish and frogs breeding happily in harmony but no newts. Pond snails were abundant and we added swan mussles. The years moved on and we were content with our pond wildlife but sad that we didn't seem to attract newts.

Last year disaster struck and the liner split towards the bottom. It had been patched several times so we decided to replace. The fish had all gone by then and we were hopeful that the frogs would return. The pond was filled with water once again and nothing else was added. We then waited for the arrival of the frogs. We weren't disappointed.

On Friday I was looking at the pond and trying to decide on the planting. I was pleased to see 1 tadpole swimming about. Next I saw something swimming about 3 inches under the surface but as it wasn't a frog I put it down to my imagination and an interesting mahonia leaf that has blown in. After a visit the the Aquatics centre yesterday and a look at their wild newts amongst the waterlily plant I became more confident I had seen something in our pond. Right on queue yesterday as I was watching some frogs bathing on the new double marigolds a palmate newt swam into view.

What I don't understand is why now after 10 years ? In the past my horse had several newts living under his water tank and I rescued 30+ from the footings of our old house before the concrete arrived.

[GuyF]

I'm not sure how long ago the fish had gone, but possibly they were keeping the newts away as occasionally they eat newts. Also, perhaps they've been there in the past it's just that they can be incredibly hard to spot when they want to, you're quite lucky seeing one out in the open, in my pond they live deep down in the weed and can come and take air without leaving a ripple!
Guy

[demicav]

Sounds great and very exciting. They say having a pond is one of the best things you can do for wildlife.