smooth newts that lay eggs in soil or sand

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Mark_b

If they turn out to be newt eggs then I will eat my hat hehe.

I can appreciate the connection between seeing all those newts and the eggs in close proximity to each other but it is just a coincidence. Slugs/snails lay their eggs in moist habitats and terrestrial newts also like to stay moist.

Most British newts will have stopped laying now (in water), hence why many are on land. Newts lay single eggs, not in groups. The eggs need to be submersed in water to develop, some species of non-UK amphibians have adapted to keep their eggs on land for most of the development, but they need to be returned to the water when they hatch as the gilled larvae need the water.

If you go on google images and search slug eggs and then search newt eggs and let us know what they look like. Apologies if you have found a new species of newt

have a look in WAB Gallery there are newt eggs there and snail eggs I think.

[Tringa]

I'd agree snail eggs ARKive - Garden snail photo - Helix aspersa - A7938 appear to be the most likely, but the OP has said not snail eggs.

Looking forward to the photos.

Dave

[dampflippers]

Dwefinitely NOT newt eggs. It would be impossible for the babies to survive out of water.
Probably snail or slug eggs, but possibly slow release fertiliser capsules especially in the grow bag.
You could keep some and see what hatches, but it won't be newts.
Could also be worm eggs.

[dampflippers]

snail eggs:
Scottish Rock Garden Club - >Bulb Log

slug eggs
slug eggs eggs - Google Search

worm eggs
Google Images

slow release fertiliser
Scottish Rock Garden Club - >Bulb Log

[Matt Smith]

Newts are obigate aquatic egg layers as the larvae (tadpoles) have gills when they first hatch. Eggs are laid singly in a folded leaf.

Your egg batches in the soil are slug or snail eggs.