Home needed in Essex/Basildon/Wickford/Chelmsford area for Newts

[keeleyleavitt]

Hello,
We are unfortunately having to take remove our pond from our garden as we have two very small young children. It is a nature pond with LOTS of newts in and was wondering if any one would like to rehome them in the essex area. I don't mind delivering in the Brentwood/basildon/wickford/chelmsford area. I think they are common newts. Last count we had about 30-40 all different sizes (this was last year) but have seen loads this year. Please help as I don't want to make them homeless.
Also water boatmen but I don't know how easy they are to collect.
You can come and collect if you prefer. Please get in contact. Keeleyharvey@hotmail.com

Many thanks
Keeley

[Tringa]

I don't think you will need to rehouse the newts, Keeley.

I'm guessing you have already thought about putting a fence around the pond. If that is not on I would not worry too much. Newts spend a fair bit of their time out of water and they are likely to find somewhere else and the water boatmen will just fly away.

Dave

[Kayleigh]

I would fence it off if I was you.
I had to do this to keep my dog out of the pond.
The pond is a valuable asset for children supervised of course they will benefit immensely from it and the wildlife it supports.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Can you not put a grid over the pond? There has always been a pond in my garden which over the years has had loads of young children playing in it with no problems. TH pond will be great for the kids when they are older too

[Kayleigh]

Forgot to mention its best not to try to move the newts as this can transfer diseases and they might not survive somewhere else and like others have said the newts only breed in water then leave the pond so if you do get rid of it at least wait till the autumn..

[tom00_uk]

all the homes we had when me and my brother were growing up had ponds, one had two very large one at patio level from a previous owner.

We never fell in, but were also never left alone unsupervised in the garden as there are untold number of things that could harm a child unless you have a very bland back garden

the common theme that's often overlooked when tragically a near drowning or drowning event occurs both in the home in the tub or in the garden pond, pool etc is that the parent or guardian was not supervising their charge

[werdnal]

I am pleased that you are concerned enough to think about rehoming the newts in your pond, but please think about other options to filling it in. We have a large pond in our garden, and when our son was a toddler, we put a frame around it and a grid over the top. You could possibly fence it off too.

Not only is the pond a valuable wildlife asset, but will also be fascinating for your children to grow up with, and experience having all that wildlife on their doorstep. Our son loves watching the tadpoles hatch, grow and turn into frogs, and there are loads of dragonflies, beetles, waterboatmen etc. Its a glimpse into another world that many people never get to see. There are also birds that come daily to bathe and drink.

If filling in is your only option, then I fully understand your fears, but your children will only be this young for a very short time, and think of the fun and education they will get if the pond is still there when they are old enough to appreciate it safely.

[davecatt]

Hi Keeley
Out of all the above posts I would say Tringa is the only one worth listening to as far as your original query goes.

If however you are willing to look at other options,then the advice about guarding the pond is also worth following

At the end of the day you are the only one responsible for your actions and if you dont feel comfortable with the idea of having a pond with toddlers about then get rid of it. The newts will look after themselves (they where doing it long before garden ponds came on the scene)so dont worry about rehousing them.
Dave

[Kayleigh]

I take it the newts are breeding in your pond and regardless of others statements the efts (baby newts) have gills and need water to survive until they become air breathing in late summer.
So please listen to this bit of advice and try to keep the pond until the Autumn to give the efts a chance of survival.

If you have not already thought about it after the newts have left you could always make a bog garden and grow some lovely moisture loving plants like marsh marigolds flag iris and astilbe they come in all colours and a very attractive plants.
Also though large if you have space gunera is an attractive large leaved plant like a giant rhubarb but has spikes so not good round children..
There are lots of options and you could always have the pond back at later date.

I think all the advice in this thread is good advice this is a wildlife forum after all..

[marvin]

hi

have you established what species of newts you have? it may make a difference if they are great crested newts as they and their habitat are protected.

Pond & Garden Water Safety | Advice & Information | Water Safety | RoSPA

my three kids are now 7, 10 and 12. we have a small pond and they and their friends from around the estate spend hours every day dipping in it. they really love it. however you have to do what you think is best for your family.

good luck
tim