What does Newt Spawn look like

[Kayleigh]

This is the pond. The Japanese rush I planted last year has don'e well. The wildlife seem to like it. The male newt seems to be territorial the goldfish is sulinking on the edge of the pond I don't know if the newt has pushed him to the edge. The male newt has a crest I think it is a common newt not greater crested newt.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...n/P1280047.jpg

[henrya]

If your male newt's crest runs wavy from behind the head to the end (more or less) of the tail, he's a Common Newt. If there is a definite break or dip where the tail begins, he's a Great Crested Newt.

henrya

[Gill Catton]

your fish will probably get his / her own back and eat the larvae.
Commn Newt not more strongly proteted unless I a mistaken only GCN has strong protection.

[Kayleigh]

I am planning to remove the fish in summer to another pond I have not built yet.
So if the newts come back next year the eggs might have a chance of developing into little newts.
I read in this months gardeners world mag that all newts are now protected by law. Fish are the main predator of newts as they swim in open water. So the fish have got to go.

[Kayleigh]

I think they are smooth/common Newts as the male has a wavy crest and they are only about 3-4 inches long.

We also have two weird Toads mating in the pond. The Toads are half the size of adult Toads.
They are warty and dark in colour.

[nightshade]

Henrya what a good idea,the plastic pond weed ,I think that it is a better way than tugging established plants about to see what is breeding

[Kayleigh]

Hi everyone

Thanks for the tips.
There seems to be enough underwater plants for the newts to lay on. The plants are starting to grow now we have had a mild spell I have put some water cress in the pond that had roots on. The Toads I saw look like common Toads the female is alot bigger than the male. I was surprised to see Newts and Toads mating in such a new pond. All this wildlife is wonderful I feel very honoured

[SPIKEYHEDGEHOG]

Hi again.

I have a home dug pond where the poorly frog went [no sign for a few days] and lots used last year.

Only poorly frog and another seen last week. Otherwise none, just a newt that was too fast to be identified.

I have an old triangular horses drinking trough I found at a reclamation site a few years back and the frogs liked that too. Smaller and gets more sun.

I saw a newt in the smaller one last week and now there is 'oily' film on the surface. Could this be spawn?

I am going to catch it and get a photo later.

Some large snails I bought recently are fascinating to watch. Long 'feelers' and seem to do somersaults! Better than telly!!!!

[dampflippers]

No, defintely not newt spawn!
Newts lay their eggs singly, usually folded in a soft leaf.
An oily film could be left by a heron (oil on the feathers) or from something stirring up the bottom of the pond.
This is a leaf with a smooth newt egg in it.

[Kayleigh]

What an old thread and how much this site has been an education.
I now know newts lay a single egg all through the summer but I think they have finished in my pond now..
I have also seen and photographed young (efts) newts..