Great news!

[carpathia]

I have a newt!!! Excuse the unfettered delight this end, but I was a kid in kindergarten the last time I saw a newt actually in a pond instead of on tv!

'Tis a brown colour, with a speckely creamy underside (as far as I could see - which wasn't much), and was moving very slowly over the bottom of the pool. I must mention at this point that my entire garden is a wilderness. It exists for wildlife only. Wild flowers, self seeding grasses....that sort of thing. Hence, my ponds (both attached to waterfalls) are totally unkempt.

Just a thought here, but is there anything I can do to multiply the chance he/she might stay? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. :-)

Warmly
Carpathia

[Kayleigh]

Just provide plants in the pond so she can curl her eggs around them. If the environment is right she will stick around providing there are males there too of course.. Good luck.

[Poirot]

wow fantastic, I have never seen a newt nowadays in school they don't bring a live animal into class. Perhaps another health and safety law!!!!

A photo would be ace if you can get one

Thanks

Poirot

[carpathia]

Thanks both.

Lots of plants around, both in and out of both ponds. It would be amazing if my little newt was a female and actually laid eggs!

I would love to take a photo, and if the opportunity arises, I shall, but to be honest, the pond which the newt is using is under trees. Early morning it is very dark ('twas only sheer luck I saw the newt in the first place - thinking at first it was a twig with legs! ), and when the sun comes around reflections on the pond would make it impossible. However, never say never.

I have been checking up on what newts eat, and happily there is a glut of it's food in this wilderness I call a garden. I have logs lying everywhere, so insects, slugs and creepy crawlies of every description are ensconced here. There are also many crevices where it might hide if it needs to.

Thank you again for replies.

warmly
Carpathia

[Digifrog]

I have actually discovered about 6 small ( 2 inches) smooth newts in my pond. They now outnumber the frogs. A bit worrying really as they like to eat tadpoleses.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Digifrog

I have actually discovered about 6 small ( 2 inches) smooth newts in my pond. They now outnumber the frogs. A bit worrying really as they like to eat tadpoleses.

Don't worry they won't eat them all...
We have about 10 newts in our pond. I will have to catch one for a photo as like carpathia says its impossible to get a good shot.

[Poirot]

Wow sounds like one lucky newt Try the soft light on a sunny everning to take a picture if the light isn't too obscured through the foliage. If not hope that she/he stays around until summer. I wonder if it has a mate nearby???

Poirot

[galanthus]

Thats fantastic, how fab for you. Just last years tadpoles in my pond at this point, all 6 of them lol.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by carpathia

I have a newt!!! Excuse the unfettered delight this end, but I was a kid in kindergarten the last time I saw a newt actually in a pond instead of on tv!

'Tis a brown colour, with a speckely creamy underside (as far as I could see - which wasn't much), and was moving very slowly over the bottom of the pool. I must mention at this point that my entire garden is a wilderness. It exists for wildlife only. Wild flowers, self seeding grasses....that sort of thing. Hence, my ponds (both attached to waterfalls) are totally unkempt.

Just a thought here, but is there anything I can do to multiply the chance he/she might stay? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. :-)

Warmly
Carpathia

That's fantastic, I'm really happy for you. I haven't seen a Newt in a long time.

[dragonfly]

well done to have any chance that they might stay is leave well alone but remember they spend more time out of the pond than in it