Newts

[tinca]

suprise!i lifted a old plastic dustbin (used for storing plant pots) and there where 3 newts for a moment i thought thet where lizards (hoping)thing is all we have is a old baby bath with some weed from my fishtank which i use for breeding daphnia so where did they come from no garden ponds near by and the garden is fenced and walled one i could understand but three all in the same place do they travel in gangs? we do live in a rural enviorment (suffolk) but dry set aside walls and a road separate us from the nearest water.

[Kayleigh]

Newts live happily out of water they only go there to breed so there must be some water near you maybe that you don't know about and how they get in to your garden is anyone's guess..Must be gaps somewhere..

[treecreeper]

I don't think they need gaps....newts are expert climbers

[dampflippers]

After they leave the pond as a baby, they live on land for 2 or 3 years before they are old enough to breed. They are largely nocturnal so hide away during the day. If all three are together, then there might be quite a few others. Otherwise it may just be the only suitable place in your garden.
You could always build a pond.....

[Apackofangrybats]

you usually find them in compost heaps or under logs, and sometimes they'll be under mats placed around trees - pretty much anywhere dark, damp and has insects. did you get a photo of them? it'd be interesting to find out what species they are.

[tinca]

Thanks for the replys sorry no photos it was a sunny day and i wanted them back under cover as quick as poss however after looking at pics on the web i believe they are palmate (spelling ?) i would like a small pond where to put it is the problem

[Apackofangrybats]

Palmate newts have those webbed hind feet and a pinkish throat. That's a nice find if that's what you got - they're supposedly less common than the smooth and crested newt.

[tinca]

they had the coloured throat which is what made me think of palmate well two did one didnt