Palmate/Smoothe Newts

[Rashmika]

Hi. Is it unusual to have Newts in your pond at this time of year still in the larval stage with gills? They were about an inch to an inch and a half long.

I was doing some pond maintenance involving clearing out some of the silt; obviously this is quite invasive. As I stood back, I noticed around half a dozen lil newts coming repeatedly to the surface to breathe (presuambly because I'd messed up the oxygen levels in the water by disturbing the silt?).

I do have Hornwort in there at the moment, but it doesn't look too good. Should I might get some more Oxygenators for the Winter?

Thanks!

[Kayleigh]

If there was not enough food or some other reason they will over winter (hibernate) in the pond and carry on to develop next year..
Its quite normal..just try not to disturb them any more than necessary..
Not sure if its too late for oxygenators but you could try things should settle down I have lots on oxygenators in my pond and have never removed the silt.

[Rashmika]

Hmm interesting. I didn't know if they'd hibernate or not. I guess they were possibly buried in the silt?

When is the best of year to do pond work then? I had done some research on hte web and the general consensus was Autumn. Is it better to wait till Spring?

I can see two or three resting in the shallows of the pond, however they're not coming to the surface repeatedly like yesterday!

About four weeks ago I found a cluster of baby newts under a fern near the pond. So I geuss I must be doing something right somewhere along the line!

[Kayleigh]

Yes pond work is best carried out Autumn and winter if you disturb them at this time they will settle down again.
I have not touched my pond in the 4 yrs its been there..
So I am only going on what I have read on the web and in books.

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I have not touched my pond in the 4 yrs its been there..

....This prompts me to ask, as a newbie here, whether there is a folder on this site which just has photos of people's ponds. The ability to compare and simply view the variety could be interesting and educational.

[Deb London]

Search the image archive for 'pond' or 'garden pond' maybe.

And it might be an idea to start a thread in the wildlife gardening forum/sub forum to request pictures. I should imagine you'd get lots of ideas.

Just not posting a pic of mine at the mo - I can't see it for duckweed.

[NYBraby]

I was told October is a good time, I've cleared the outer area's of my pond, such as chopping down a huge conifer which was growing out of the rockery behind the bond and having a general tidy up.

I now have my Dad's old portable pond (one of those things you see at koi shows) which I will transfer my pond water etc into. I will lift out the old liner with silt etc and keep to one side whilst I put in the new liner then transfer back.

Thats the plan anyway.

[Kayleigh]

This is a general garden thread it has some members ponds.

WAB Members' Garden Photos

[Red Robin]

^^^^
Thx Kayleigh - You're a star!

Great thread and exactly what I was looking for. I'll be adding mine in due course.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Red Robin

^^^^
Thx Kayleigh - You're a star!

Great thread and exactly what I was looking for. I'll be adding mine in due course.

I will look forward to your pics..